Funeral held for Rice University officer killed in crash

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Detective Rommel Espinola, a Rice University police officer who died in an accident, was laid to rest Saturday.

The 48-year-old was killed last week in an accident on the northbound lanes of I-45 North Freeway at Beltway 8.

Espinola, a nine-year veteran of the Rice University Police Department, is survived by his 9-year-old son. Espinola's wife died in November after battling an illness.

The young boy will stay with family members.

Rice University PD will hold a private memorial at a later date.