‘Full of love’: Family remembers 25-year-old killed in Wilson County crash

A family is mourning the loss of a 25-year-old who was killed in a head-on crash in Wilson County.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety, the crash happened after 4 p.m. Tuesday on State Highway 123.

Investigators said Joseph Angel Sanchez Jr. was driving a white Ford Focus southbound when a northbound black Lexus crossed into the opposite lane and collided with Sanchez’s vehicle.

Both Sanchez and the other driver were taken to the hospital for treatment, but Sanchez succumbed to his injuries.

DPS said the crash remains under investigation. KSAT requested details about the driver, but was unable to confirm the driver’s identity or the charges they may face following the crash.

On Friday, Sanchez’s family sat down with KSAT to speak about his life and the memories they will hold onto forever.

They told KSAT his death is still too difficult to comprehend.

“I just cut his hair two weeks ago,” said his aunt, Brittany Fernandez. “I just gave him a big hug when he was in my chair. I can’t even describe the feeling. Even now, it still feels unreal.”

“He was an angel,” Fernandez said. “He was the kindest person you would ever know. He didn’t have an ugly bone in his body.”

The two grew up spending a lot of time together. During their last conversation, Fernandez said her nephew talked about the future he wanted.

“He had just told me wanted to get married, he wanted to have a family. He wanted to help people. All of us, we just can’t believe it. It’s heartbreaking,” Fernandez said.

Sanchez graduated from Seguin High School in 2019 and was attending Texas Lutheran University, where he was a junior majoring in psychology. His family said he hoped to one day become a counselor.

His aunt, Monica Alejos, also remembered the joy he brought to others.

“He was just always full of life, full of love, full of happiness,” Alejos told KSAT on Friday afternoon.

Both aunts described how they wish they had just one more moment with their sweet nephew.

Alejos said the family has been hearing from people whose lives Sanchez touched. Many have reached out to share memories of his kindness and the joy he brought to those around him.

“He wanted to take care of everybody else and help them through their struggles and problems,” Alejos said. “Everyone has nothing but positive things to say about him.”

But remembering Sanchez’s kindness does not take away from the anger and heartbreak Alejos said she feels about the circumstances surrounding his death.

“If the right choices were made, if the person wasn’t careless, my nephew would still be here,” Alejos said. “No matter what, the choice he made was reckless. He took somebody’s life. Somebody who doesn’t get to be here anymore. It’s hard to accept that his life was in the hands of somebody else.”

As the family tries to come to terms with the loss, Fernandez and Alejos also shared heartfelt messages from Sanchez’s parents, who are now facing life without their son. His mother, Suzanna, shared these words:

“Losing my son in a tragic accident is heartbreaking. I will carry it for the rest of my life. No words can express the pain of losing someone who brought so much love, happiness and joy into my world. He was my sweet boy, my heart and one of the greatest blessings of my life. Although his time here was far too short, the love he gave me, the memories we shared and the beautiful person he was will never be forgotten. His life may have been taken too soon, but his spirit, his smile and his love will continue to live through me. I will carry him in my heart in everything I do. I will speak his name with love and honor his memory every day. I may have to learn to live without him by my side, but I will never learn to live without him in my heart. He will forever be my son, my angel, and my greatest love.”

Fernandez also read a few words that were shared by Sanchez’s father:

“On February 15, 2001, I fell in love with a baby boy who would grow up to be a man with the kindest heart. My son, whom I loved with all my heart, will be with me in my heart and all the good memories that we shared until it’s time for me to go be with him in heaven. He was very smart and I was very proud to say that he was my college boy. I will miss him so much.”

Sanchez’s death came just one day after two other young men, who were student athletes at Texas Lutheran University, were killed in a separate crash in Seguin.

A’Jean “A.J.” Augustine, 20, and Deyreck Dean, 23, died early Nov. 2 in a single-vehicle crash on State Highway 46 North, according to the Seguin Police Department.

Sanchez’s death marked the third loss of a TLU student within days.

The university sent the following statement to KSAT:

“The Texas Lutheran University community is grieving the loss of three of its own this week. Junior A’Jean (AJ) Augustine of Houston and senior Deyreck Dean of Rockwall were involved in a fatal car accident in the early morning hours of November 2, and junior Joseph Angel Sanchez Jr. of Stockdale was involved in a fatal car accident on November 3. All were beloved members of the Bulldog family and will be deeply mourned by friends, professors, and loved ones.”

Texas Lutheran University

As Sanchez’s family grieves, they said they hope others will take a moment to think about the people sharing the road.

Fernandez said Sanchez was just a couple of miles from home when the crash happened.

“I don’t think anybody gets behind the wheel and think it’s going to be their last time ever. He was two miles from home. I don’t think he even imagined that this would happen to him,” Fernandez said.

She also wants drivers to remember that other people on the road have families and loved ones waiting for them.

“The other people on the road have families, have loved ones,” she said. “Be careful, pay attention, not be in such a hurry.”

A memorial is planned for Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Chapel of Abiding Presence at Texas Lutheran University.

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