La Vernia teen dies in early-morning crash

High school students rocked by second vehicle fatality in less than a week



VIRGINIA McGREGOR
La Vernia High School students gather Nov. 9 at the parking space on the campus allocated to fellow student Rachel Russell, who died in an early-morning crash Nov. 6 on her way to school. The campus already was in mourning, following an Oct. 31 crash that claimed the life of another La Vernia teen.

The La Vernia community has been rocked again, after a second high school student in less than a week lost her life in a vehicle accident.

Rachel MaKenna Russell, 17, of Adkins had just started on her way to La Vernia High School about 7 a.m. Nov. 6 when a blue passenger vehicle struck the driver’s side of the silver Toyota pickup truck she was driving.

The impact of the crash, on U.S. 87 near the Wilson/Bexar county line north of La Vernia, turned the pickup truck on its side.

First responders extricated Rachel from the vehicle, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the other vehicle was transported to Connally Memorial Medical Center in Floresville.

Texas Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol Sgt. Kenny Mata said foggy weather conditions probably contributed to the crash, which occurred in a 70 mph speed zone.

The fatal accident occurred less than six days after the rollover of a utility terrain vehicle Oct. 31, which resulted in the death of 15-year-old La Vernia High School student Kailey Kotara in the Legacy Ranch subdivision.

“We’re just absolutely heartbroken,” high school Principal Anthony Kosub told the La Vernia News. “Both were very special young ladies.”

He said the school has been focusing on supporting both kids and staff in coping with the tragedies. Counselors from within the La Vernia Independent School District and from other districts provided services on campus Nov. 1 and 2 following Kailey’s death and then again Nov. 5 and 8 after Rachel’s death.

“Our students, staff, and community have experienced unthinkable tragedy and loss,” school district Superintendent Hensley Cone said in a district statement. “Words cannot explain the degree of pain, tears, and heartbreak that permeate our hallways.”

However, he pointed out, “At the same time, an extraordinary amount of support, care, love, and prayer continues to lift everyone up.”

Obituaries for Rachel Russell and Kailey Kotara can be found on page 10.