HOUSTON - Loved ones are mourning the loss of a former international rugby player killed in a crash in west Harris County.
Pedrie Wannenberg, 41, was most recently a coach at Rice University and so many people were shocked to hear what happened. DETAILS: Pursuit in Harris County ends with 1 dead, 6 injuredThe sports community worldwide honored the rugby legend with his former South African team the Vodacom Bulls holding a moment of silence Saturday after he was killed Friday evening in a car crash just west of Houston.
Eugene Eloff, Wannenberg's close friend and coach, spoke to FOX 26 from South Africa, telling us the rugby player and father touched many lives on and off the field. "He would go out of his way, to help other people," he said. "On the field, he would put his body on the line for his team.
He was totally a team guy. Off the field, he’ll be remembered as a soft-spoken guy with a beautiful spirit that always cared about his fellow citizens, and loved his wife and kids.MORE: Pedrie Wannenburg, former Austin Elite Rugby coach, player killed in Harris County pursuitAuthorities are still investigating the deadly crash, charging a 16-year-old driver with murder.