Family of 32-year-old man killed in motorcycle crash gather to celebrate his life

Cory Vernon lost his life in a crash on Interstate 35 near Toepperwein Road

Nine days after 32-year-old Cory Vernon lost his life in a crash on Interstate 35 near Toepperwein Road, his family mourned him with a celebration of life.

The celebration started with a procession full of tow trucks, cars and motorcycles. It ended with friends and family swapping stories of the man that brought them together.

Vernon was killed on March 3rd around 7 a.m. after his bike collided with a car on I-35 near Toepperwein Road.

Live Oak police said both the motorcyclist and the driver of the car were heading north on the highway when they tried to merge into the same lane in front of an 18-wheeler. The car ended up hitting the motorcycle from behind, police said.

Vernon died at the scene from his injuries.

“It was the first moments of the worst day of my life,” Synthya “Syndy” Vernon, Cory’s wife, said.

At the celebration of life, Vernon was described as a man who wore many hats and had many talents. He was said to be a jokester, mediator, mechanic and most of all, everyone’s go-to problem solver.

“If there was anything, we’d call him and he was always there to help us. He would drop what he was doing even if he was sleeping. If we called him, he’d answer,” said Vernon’s mom and sisters.

Vernon leaves behind his wife, a young daughter and two stepchildren.

KSAT called and emailed Live Oak police but has not received an update on the crash. At last check, it is still under investigation, and no one involved is facing any charges.


About the Authors:

John Paul Barajas is a reporter at KSAT 12. Previously, he worked at KRGV 5 in the Rio Grande Valley. He has a degree from the University of Houston. In his free time, he likes to get a workout in, spend time on the water and check out good eats and drinks.

Adam Barraza is a photojournalist at KSAT 12 and an El Paso native. He interned at KVIA, the local ABC affiliate, while still in high school. He then moved to San Antonio and, after earning a degree from San Antonio College and the University of the Incarnate Word, started working in news. He’s also a diehard Dodgers fan and an avid sneakerhead.