North Texas pastor's wife and daughter killed in crash
VENUS, Texas - A North Texas pastor’s family was killed in a car crash over the weekend. Members of their church and several school communities are now grieving.
Mark McDaniel is the pastor of New Hope Community Church in Venus, located about 30 miles south of Arlington in Johnson and Ellis counties.
Over the weekend, he was driving home from a Pantego Christian Academy basketball game with his wife, Brandi, and daughter, Hannah.
The McDaniels were driving through Big Spring in West Texas when Mark lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a guardrail.
The guardrail entered the vehicle. Hannah was pronounced dead at the scene. Her mother, Brandi, died a short time later at a nearby hospital.
The two are pictured together on a memorial flyer the school posted on social media.
Mark McDaniel was injured in the crash.
On Sunday, New Hope Community Church invited the congregation to grieve the loss and pray for the family at its service.
"We are gathered together this morning as a group of wounded healers," church leaders said. "It's not a normal day by any means. Each of you have woken up in an altered state of reality. And normal has left the building."
Services were somber, with uplifting sentiments regarding the crash.
"I believe with every fiber of my being that God will not waste, no tear shed is wasted. God collects them all and there is good that will come about from this," said a member of the church.
Featured
Parker County plane crash kills school board trustee, 2 children
A North Texas school board trustee and his two children were killed in a small plane crash in Parker County.
Hannah was a student a PCA. Her classmates and teachers are expected to wear blue in her honor on Monday.
PCA held a private chapel on Monday morning and released balloons.
The school released a statement saying, in part, "Hannah was more than just a student; she was a friend, a classmate, a teammate, and a source of inspiration to those around her. Her infectious laughter, compassionate nature, and unwavering determination made her a shining star within our community… We are a community of believers and our faith in Jesus Christ will get us through this difficult time."
The school's statement also points out that Hannah's middle name was Joy and mentioned how extremely poignant that is in remembering her.
Flowers were left on Mark McDaniel's car in the PCA parking lot and students signed a banner remembering Hannah.
Her former school, the Fellowship Academy, expressed its condolences for the family. Students there will also be wearing blue.
Grace Prep School, PCA's biggest rival, wore PCA colors on Monday to show support.
The Texas Department of Public Safety said it is still investigating what caused McDaniel to lose control.
Whether it was a medical condition or some other factor is still to be determined.