Stitt orders flags on state property to be flown at half-staff to honor trooper killed in crash

Gov. Kevin Stitt has ordered that all American and Oklahoma flags on state property be flown at half-staff to honor a trooper killed in a crash earlier this week. | RELATED VIDEO ABOVE | Oklahoma Highway Patrol asks public for help after crash kills trooper, mother, and childOn Wednesday, Trooper Vernon Brake was one of three people killed in a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 35. Authorities say a woman swerved to miss debris on southbound I-35, crashed through a cable barrier and hit Brake's vehicle. Brake and both people in the other car, identified as Mercedes Bayne and her 5-year-old daughter Ariana, were pronounced dead at the scene. The trooper served the Oklahoma Highway Patrol for nearly 20 years. He is survived by his wife and two children. Video Below: Pastor remembers mother, 5-year-old girl killed in OKC crash as fixtures in churchOn Friday, Stitt ordered for flags to be flown at half-staff until 5 p.m. Tuesday to honor Brake's life and service. "Trooper Vernon Brake embodied the very best of Oklahoma. He lived his life with courage, integrity, and a steadfast dedication to serving others," Stitt said in a news release. "In lowering the flags at our Capitol, we honor the lasting impact of his service and recognize how much he meant to his family, friends, fellow troopers, and many loved ones. Sarah and I are praying for his wife and children as they navigate this heartbreaking loss." The governor also expressed his prayers for Bayne and Ariana. "We also lift in prayer the woman and young child who lost their lives in this tragic incident. May the Lord bring peace and comfort to all of these families in their grief." Video Below: Mother killed in I-35 crash remembered as 'a light' days away from taking next step in career Top Headlines TIMELINE: Oklahoma storms start Friday, continue into weekend with tornado risk Woman dies after being hit by a train in Pauls Valley, OHP says Out-of-this-world playlist: Here's what the Artemis II astronauts have been listening to in space OHP releases details of deadly crash involving Oklahoma State softball team's bus Rollover crash involving multiple vehicles causes significant traffic on SB I-35 near Goldsby