Mother, Son from Copperas Cove Killed in Lampasas County Head-On Crash

Adela Villa and her 14-year-old son Adrian, a freshman soccer player at Copperas Cove High School, were killed the evening of February 28 when an oncoming vehicle veered into their lane on U.S. Highway 190 east of Lampasas and struck them head-on.

Texas Department of Public Safety officials confirmed that around 8:13 p.m. that Saturday, a 2005 Lexus sedan operated by 35-year-old Raul Jaimes Sanchez of Lampasas was traveling westbound on U.S. 190 when witnesses reported the vehicle began driving in the center turn lane. An oncoming vehicle then crossed into the Lexus' path. According to KDH News, two of the three people killed in the Lampasas County crash were related to one of the owners of Giovanni's restaurant in Copperas Cove. Emmanuel Aguilar, the restaurant's manager, confirmed that Adela Suarez Villa, 41, was the wife of one of the owners, and that her son Adrian also died in the crash.

In Lampasas, Adela had been a fixture in the restaurant community. Known for bringing two dining staples to the city, she was associated with both El Frias and Giovanni's. Tributes shared by a local photographer remembered her as warm, welcoming, and generous, and noted that "her love for her family shined through in everything she did." Those who visited her restaurants remembered her most for her infectious smile.

At Copperas Cove High School, Adrian's death hit the soccer program during the final game of its season. Head coach Rudy De Los Santos, who had coached Adrian throughout his freshman year, struggled to find words for the loss. "I got the opportunity to coach him full time this year and watch him grow. He was on his way and doing a lot of great things," De Los Santos said. When the team learned of Adrian's death, De Los Santos described the aftermath plainly: "You're an emotional wreck, in distress. The boys took it really hard."

Students, coaches, and family members gathered at Copperas Cove High School on Thursday to hold a memorial for Adrian. CCISD Superintendent Brent Hawkins sent an email to families in the days following the crash. "We know this is a challenging time for our students and staff at Copperas Cove High School and we want everybody to know that we are here to assist students, staff and families, while also respecting the privacy of the student and their family," Hawkins wrote, adding that the district would provide information on counseling services.

No charges or citations have been publicly reported in connection with the crash, and the investigation remains ongoing. The identity of the driver of the oncoming vehicle has not been released.