Former ranger in Lynch rescue team dies after car wreck

<p>A former U.S. Army Ranger who family members say was part of the team that helped rescue Pvt. Jessica Lynch has died two years after he was injured in a car wreck in Georgia.</p><p>Shane McAloon, 30, of Hartsville was scheduled to plead guilty to drunken driving and vehicular homicide in Savannah, Ga., for the 2003 wreck that left him a quadrapalegic.</p><p>Chatham County, Ga., Assistant District Attorney Greg McConnell said the case will be closed once his office receives a certified copy of McAloon's death certificate.</p><p>Police have said McAloon was driving three friends to South Carolina at 3:30 a.m. over the Independence Day 2003 holiday weekend when he lost control of his 2000 Ford Mustang at the base of the bridge. Two passengers died, a third was injured.</p><p>Defense attorney Brian Daly, who got to know McAloon while representing him, said he believes McAloon died of a broken heart at his home July 19. "This case is a tragedy for everyone," he said.</p><p>Daly said McAloon planned to plead guilty in exchange for serving his sentence on probation.</p><p>The Iraqi War veteran had a caretaker at the time of his death. A former high school teacher and basketball coach, McAloon also planned to make speeches about the dangers of driving drunk as part of his punishment, Daly said.</p><p>McAloon was part of the 75th Ranger Regiment, 1st Battalion. His attorney said McAloon was discharged from the Army recently.</p><p>___</p><p>HASH(0x1d09a7c)</p>