Former Rugby player Pedrie Wannenburg killed in police chase led by teen driver

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- International Rugby player Pedrie Wannenburg was killed in a car crash caused by a teen driver fleeing from police on Friday, according to Harris County Sheriff's deputies.

The car accident happened just before 6 p.m. after a deputy was in pursuit of a 16-year-old suspect in northwest Harris County. The teen suspect struck two other cars after they fled near Greenhouse Road and Little York, according to HCSO.

RELATED: 1 killed, 5 injured in car chase that ended in a crash in northwest Harris County

The driver of one of the vehicles struck was Wannenburg, who was pronounced dead. Also in the car was Wannenburg's 8-year-old son who was taken by LifeFlight and is in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.

Wannenburg played for the Vodacom Bulls and Springboks. He was based here in Texas and coached the Austin Elite Rugby in the North American Major Rugby League. He was also the head coach of the Rice University's Rugby Club.

The team's captain, Jacob Koelsch, described Wannenburg as a humble, selfless, dedicated athlete and father.

"He also coached his sons little league team and you probably don't have enough fingers to count the amount of coaching jobs he's had in the last year (or) year in a half, alone," Koelsch said. "He's just a very servant-minded person, very selfless. Very willing to give his time and his efforts."

The team set up a gofundme page to help Wannenberg's family.

Wannenburg was also an assistant coach for his son's little league team. The Brazos Little League Team along with members from the family's neighborhood, gathered Saturday night for a prayer vigil.

Mandi McDougal, who is assistant to the league's board, told ABC13 she visited the 8-year-old at the hospital and said his condition was improving. McDougal said the Wannenburg family was a tight-knit family that did everything together.

"They were such a sweet family that everybody knew them," McDougal said. "Everybody loved them. Even if they only met them a few times, because the impact they make as a family."

The Brazos Little League Team also started a gofundme to help the family with funeral expenses.

His former team released this tweet:

Deputies arrested the 16-year-old driver who fled. He was taken to the hospital after the crash and was arrested for felony murder, reckless aggravated assault, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

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