KRISTV.com
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS | CONTINUOUS NEWS COVERAGE
Powered by
Local News
Father of Man Killed In Tragic Crash Mourns His Only Son
Posted: Jul 3, 2012 9:58 PM by Melissa Schroeder - mschroeder@kristv.com
Updated: Jul 3, 2012 11:53 PM
CORPUS CHRISTI -- A Corpus Christi father is grieving the loss of his son who died in a car crash in Austin this past weekend.
25-year old Ryan Whittington was in the back seat of a car that plunged into Lady Bird Lake early Sunday morning.
Police officers who saw the crash, pulled two young women out of the car but they couldn't save Ryan who was trapped in the back seat.
The driver -- Madeline Rackley -- has since been charged with intoxication manslaughter.
Meanwhile, the Whittington family's home is full of friends, food and flowers.
But still, there's an emptiness there.
Ryan's father, Gary, said, "You just take it one minute, one hour, one day at a time and this is something that will last the rest of our lives for sure and there will always be a big hole in our hearts."
Ryan Whittington was the oldest sibling.
He recently took a vacation with his two sisters, mom and dad just a week before he passed away.
Gary said they shared many special moments on that vacation.
He said, "We spent 2 1/2 hours at dinner together side by side and I'll cherish that for sure."
Ryan graduated from Carroll High School in 2005.
He played tennis there and in college at Texas State in San Marcos.
He loved it so much, he even worked for the United States Tennis Association.
Ryan's job was his reason for being in Austin last weekend when he was killed in the car accident.
His father says he's not angry at the driver charged with causing the crash.
Instead the family is focused on celebrating Ryan's young life.
Gary said, "I'm going to endeavor to eulogize Ryan on Friday and it will be the hardest thing I've ever done but God willing I'll get through it and I will share some lighter moments of Ryan's life and we'll celebrate what was a great person."
Ryan's dad says he's shed a million tears and there will be a million more, but he takes comfort in knowing his only son is in Heaven now with his two grandfathers whom he never got to meet on this Earth.
The funeral for Ryan Whittington will be Friday morning at 10 o'clock at the Most Precious Blood Catholic Church.
If you would like to follow Melissa Schroeder on Facebook, "friend" her here.
Video On Demand
Submit News
Do you have a tip, information about a breaking news story, or a story idea for 6 Investigates? Contact the KRIS 6 News Desk at 361-884-6666 or send us an email.
Most Popular
KRISTV.COM is Social!
Click the icons above to receive News, Weather, and Sports alerts from KRISTV.COM!
Inside KRISTV.COM
 |
Photo Central Look at photos and videos and share them! |
 |
Desktop Weather Current forecast, hurricane info, and much more! |
 |
KRISTV.COM Mobile Website Get KRISTV.com on your mobile or PDA! |
 |
KRISTV.COM Mobile Apps Get our mobile apps on your mobile or PDA! |
 |
Texas Lottery See the latest winning numbers! |
 |
6 News Team Read about your favorite KRIS-TV personalities! |
 |
FCC Online Public File FCC Public File of Records, Reports, and more |
Comments