KHN – A Columbus woman and son were killed in a tragic incident on Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 11, leaving her daughter in the PICU and the driver of another vehicle with significant injuries.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety’s preliminary report, Rylee Nicole Schobel, a 29-year-old mother of two, died in the accident, while her two children, 10-year-old son Jude Schobel and 7-year-old daughter Lorelei Schobel, were rushed to Memorial Hermann Children’s Hospital in critical condition and fighting for their lives in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
Bobby John Murphy, 42, of Needville, the driver of the second vehicle, was initially taken to Columbus Community Hospital before being transferred to St. David’s Hospital in Austin for treatment.
At 11:46 a.m. that day, Rylee was driving a 2001 Chevrolet Suburban SUV with Jude and Lorelei inside, when Murphy, driving a 2008 Ford F-250 pickup northbound, failed to stay in a single lane and collided with the Suburban.
Rylee, the head zookeeper of Columbus Zoo Texas, was declared deceased at the scene by Colorado County Justice of the Peace Donald Clark.
Jude died as a result of his injuries four days later, on Saturday, February 15, at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. Lorelei awoke early Friday morning, Feb. 14, after fighting for her life with her brother, displaying “incredible strength,” and making a “miraculous recovery.”
Ryan Schobel, a beertender and cook at Hound Song Brewing Company in Columbus, mourned his son’s death in a heartbreaking Facebook post, recalling him as the “brightest light on the world,” “always seeing the bright side,” and “loving life.”
“He was just like his ol’ man, always helping others, always brightening people’s day with his goofy and polite exterior,” Ryan wrote at the time. “I love him so much, and I know he’s up there dancing with his mama, Rylee Eikenberry, and singing karaoke with his wonderful voice.
He was too young; he did not deserve this, and we are grieved by the injustice that life can bring in an instant without warning. I played him a concert of all of his favorite songs the day before, and I could see tears fall from his eyes as he said farewell to everyone he loved. I’m not doing well, but I’m staying strong for my daughter Lorelei, who is doing well. “It’s what he would have wanted.”
At this time, no additional information is available because the DPS is actively investigating the event.