Family, friends remember boy killed in crash
11-year-old called feisty, with a smile that melted hearts
CONROE — The funeral Mass for 11-year-old Adan Hilario Jr. began Tuesday with silence punctuated by his mother’s sobs, which echoed through the sanctuary of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
The boy died June 19 when his family’s SUV collided with the police cruiser of an officer pursuing a suspect in a 6-mile high-speed chase near New Caney.
The officer, Patton Village police Sgt. Stacey Baumgartner, was pronounced dead en route to the hospital. His funeral was Friday.
About 250 mourners gathered for Adan’s funeral Mass, which was celebrated in Spanish by the Rev. Philip White, who shared Scripture verses about Jesus welcoming children and encouraged worshipers to embrace the openness of youth.
The eight young men serving as honorary pallbearers wore blue flowers; one of them, an older brother hurt in the crash, still had a bandage on his head. Teachers said he had started walking without a wheelchair on Monday.
At the passing of the peace, family members ran their hands over the boy’s casket and leaned down to kiss it. Adan’s mother, Erica Santos, ran her hand along its linen-covered edge.
Other attendees included about 10 police officers, including the Patton Village police chief and a captain. After the Mass, police escorted the funeral procession and blocked traffic; Patton Village police Capt. Gerald Eagleton said the family had requested their participation.
Adan could be feisty, his music teacher of six years said, but he had a look with his big brown eyes and wide smile that melted teachers’ hearts.
The teacher, Laura Andrews, agreed with other Piney Woods Elementary School teachers who said the Hilario family was very close and that all the siblings were suffering the loss of their brother.
The 11-year-old loved recess and physical education, the teachers said, and wanted to start a sports club. He had looked forward to starting seventh grade in the fall because he would be become eligible for athletics.
The teachers said the child’s uncle managed the fundraising account that had accrued about $4,400 as of Tuesday.
“They need help bad,” Andrews said. The site is www.gofundme.com/2ad679w.