Ex-South Africa rugby player killed in Texas crash caused by teen fleeing deputies, HCSO says

Pedrie Wannenburg, 41, died at the hospital; his son was critically injured

Pedrie Wannenburg, 41 died in a car crash caused by a teen driver who was fleeing deputies during a police chase Friday afternoon. (KPRC/Getty Images)

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.

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.

FILE - Pedrie Wannenburg of the Bulls of South Africa, right, is tackled by Australia's Western Force player Ben McCalman during their Super 14 rugby union match in Perth, Australia, March 27, 2010. Pedrie Wannenburg, a former South Africa rugby player, has died after his car was struck by a teenage driver who was fleeing from police outside Houston. He was 41. South Africa Rugby announced Wannenburg’s death on Saturday April 23, 2022. (AP Photo/File) (AP2010)

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About the Authors:

Rebecca Salinas is an award-winning digital journalist who joined KSAT in 2019. She reports on a variety of topics for KSAT 12 News.