Loved ones celebrate memories of couple killed in wrong-way crash

SPRING, Texas (KTRK) -- Friends and family of a couple killed in a horrific wrong-way crash on I-45 early Sunday morning gathered for an emotional celebration Monday evening.

Patrick and Jackie Delane had just left an IHOP where they were eating with relatives and celebrating Patrick's 50th birthday, which would have been Monday.

The couple's family and friends instead held a vigil to honor their memory on Patrick's birthday.

"Y'all know my daddy was my life," Patrick's daughter Melanie told the crowd.

"She loved to entertain," said Jackie's son, Bryson Brown. "Her home was always open to everybody no matter what holiday - Christmas, Thanksgiving, Arbor Day. Come over to the house and have a drink."

Minutes after leaving a pre-50th birthday celebration with family, the couple was hit by a wrong-way driver.

ORIGINAL STORY: Husband and wife celebrating birthday killed in wrong way crash

Eyewitness News obtained new video footage showing Adam Bonilla, 32, driving his Dodge Charger northbound in the southbound lanes.

Bonilla hit the Delanes head on. All three were killed.

More than 100 people showed up outside the couple's home for an emotional candlelight vigil and balloon release.

Guests were met with a sign in the yard that wished Patrick a happy 50th birthday.

The couple's family told ABC13 it was a birthday surprise from Patrick's wife Jackie, that they never got to see.

Everyone gathered and sang Happy Birthday to Patrick Delane, as many wiped away their tears.

"I do thank God for letting us get out that night and celebrate Patrick's birthday," said Jackie's sister Jeanette Crawford.

Crawford said the tragedy is overwhelming, but Monday night they were overwhelmed by love, and that love will help carry them.

"Every day we sit at this table here at their home. We never would've thought we would be sitting here planning a funeral for (Jackie) and (Patrick) at the same time," said Crawford.

"I think if they had a choice, neither one of them would've wanted to live without the other," Bryson Brown said.

Patrick and Jackie's funeral is scheduled for Saturday at Fallbrook Church.

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