In situations like this, you wonder why didn’t he just hit the buzzard? Though, I suppose the natural reaction is too swerve and miss the animal. In Kansas, many people swerve in attempt to avoid deer in the road. The huge deer population is an increasing cause of motor vehicle accidents. Try to avoid swerving to miss head on traffic in tragic cases like this. I put Joseph’s family in my prayers.
Texas A&M’s tumultuous football season took a tragic turn three days before Christmas. Backup senior offensive lineman Joseph Villavisencio of Jacksonville died Thursday when he swerved to avoid a buzzard and collided with an 18-wheeler, according to witness reports.
The accident occurred near Normangee on FM 39. The driver of the 18-wheeler was not hurt, KBTX-TV reported. Villavisencio, 22, started one game in 2008 as a freshman and had spent the last three years in a backup role. He played against Baylor and Kansas this season.
“He was one of the most respectful and high-character players I’ve ever coached,” said Mike Sherman, who was fired on Dec. 1 following the Aggies’ 6-6 regular season. “It was an honor and privilege to have known him and coached him.”
A&M practiced earlier Thursday under interim coach Tim DeRuyter for the final time before breaking for Christmas. The players are scheduled to report to Houston on Tuesday for the Meineke Car Care Bowl, which pits the Aggies against Northwestern on New Year’s Eve.
“We lost a great brother,” A&M senior safety Trent Hunter posted on his Twitter account. “Crazy to think we just saw him earlier (Thursday).”
The young man teammates and coaches affectionately called “Joey V” is survived by his sister, Mikeala; his mother, Christine; and his father, Jose.
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