CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — New Life at the Cross church in Robstown had a packed house Wednesday night as the community gathered to honor the life and memory of Liam Benavides, a Tuloso-Midway freshman who died Monday evening coming back from a birthday celebration in San Antonio.
Liam's pastor Raul Elizondo said that the community is navigating a mountain of emotions.
"There's sorrow, there's doubt," he said. "We are mourning. We're still in shock."
For church members like Ernesto who got to know Liam on a deeper level, he said that those memories will stay with him for a lifetime.
"That trip to Mexico, he was so excited and I remember we stopped by a store. He got a mask, I ended up getting one as well," he said. "Yesterday I was cleaning my closet. I saw that mask and it reminded me of him."
Incidents like this are a solemn reminder that it could happen to anyone.
Texas DPS spokesperson Sgt. Harold "Rob" Mallory said it's also a reminder for drivers to take it slow in rainy weather.
"You don't want to slam on the brake either," he said. "Generally, the first couple of seconds you want to just ride it out."
Ernesto said that for those who knew Liam, they will hold him in their hearts and in their prayers, even when they can't understand the "why."
"It's so sad that he's not with us, and I don't know why all this has to happen to good people like him," he said.
There will be a vigil for Liam at the steps of the Tuloso-Midway High School at 8 p.m. Thursday.