A former South Africa rugby player was killed in a multi-vehicle crash that stemmed from a chase in Harris County, according to the sheriff’s office.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said Pedrie Wannenburg, 41, died in the hospital following the crash on Friday afternoon on the county’s northwest side.
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The incident started when a deputy tried to conduct a traffic stop after receiving a call for a family disturbance in the area, according to KPRC, KSAT’s sister station in Houston.
The deputy tried to pull over the suspect vehicle, driven by a 16-year-old boy, authorities said. Two passengers, also 16, were also in the vehicle.
The driver failed to stop and a pursuit began, HCSO said. The teen drove ahead of the deputies and that’s when he crashed into three vehicles.
A fourth vehicle was unable to avoid the wreck and crashed into one of the vehicles, Gonzalez said.
Wannenburg and his 8-year-old son were transported to the hospital via helicopter. The boy was in critical condition as of Saturday morning, Gonzalez said.
A woman inside another vehicle involved in the crash was taken to the hospital via ambulance. Her condition is unknown.
The three teens in the suspect vehicle were taken to an area hospital, KPRC reported. Their injuries were not expected to be life-threatening.
The suspect driver faces charges of felony murder, reckless aggravated assault-serious bodily injury, and three counts of aggravated assault-serious bodily injury, Gonzalez said.
South Africa Rugby announced Wannenburg’s death on Saturday and said he “represented his country with aplomb” during his 20 test matches with the Springboks from 2002-07.
🇿🇦 Former Springbok loose forward Pedrie Wannenburg sadly passed away in the USA this morning
— Springboks (@Springboks) April 23, 2022
🗣️ “Pedrie gave all he had on the pitch, but afterwards always had a smile on his face" - Mr Mark Alexander
🔗 More here: https://t.co/YFGOdswyb3 pic.twitter.com/mjHeWQQqOi
Wannenburg made his debut for the Springboks against France in Paris in 2002. He won several Super Rugby titles with the Pretoria-based Bulls in the 2000s, the Associated Press reported.
“Pedrie will be remembered as one of the first real versatile loose forwards who could play in any position in the back row and even though he played in only 20 tests, his record in the colors of the Bulls, during a period where they dominated on all levels, is nearly unmatched,” South Africa Rugby president Mark Alexander said in a statement.
Wannenburg went on to play for clubs in Ireland, France and the United States before retiring to begin coaching.
He played for the Austin Elite and coached for the West Houston Lions, according to ESPN.
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