Rice rugby captain on former international star killed in car crash: 'He was just a very servant-minded person, very selfless'

A police chase, allegedly led by a teen motorist, claimed the life of a former international rugby star on Friday (April 22), according to a report from Houston CBS affiliate KHOU.

KHOU reported that 41-year-old Pedrie Wannenburg perished in a crash along Greenhouse Road. 

Wannenburg was traveling with two young passengers, one of them being his 8-year-old son, the station reported. The boy, whose name is Francois, was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital and reportedly remains in critical condition.

According to KHOU, Wannenburg's stellar career spanned three continents.

He served as head coach of the Rice Rugby Club, per the station. 

Club captain Jacob Koelsch remembered his late coach as a modest and selfless individual on and off the pitch. 

"He's just a very servant-minded person, very selfless," Koelsch told Houston ABC affiliate KTRK. "Very willing to give his time and his efforts."

Mandi McDougal is an assistant to the board of the Brazos Little League Team which Wannenburg coached and Francois played for.

McDougal told KTRK that the Wannenburgs "were such a sweet family."

"Everybody loved them," she said, per the station. "Even if they only met them a few times, because the impact they make as a family." 

One of Wannenburg's former teams took to social media to mourn him.

"We are devastated at the passing of Vodacom Bulls legend Pedrie Wannenburg," the Official Blue Bulls in his native South Africa said in a tweet. "Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Wannenburg family."

Authorities arrested and charged the unidentified 16-year-old driver with felony murder, reckless aggravated assault and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, KTRK reported.

According to the station, the Rice Rugby Club created a GoFundMe page to assist Wannenburg's family with funeral costs.