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McKINNEY, Texas - A McKinney father was killed when a tree fell on his car as he drove to pick up his son from baseball practice.
Anthony Rex, 53, was pulling into the Zinger Bat Ballpark around 7:30 p.m. Thursday when a large tree broke in half and fell on his red Corvette.
Firefighters worked several hours to remove the tree. They believe Rex was killed instantly by the weight and impact of the branch.
Friends said he was known to most people as Coach Tony. He used to coach youth baseball and was well-known by the players and parents.
“He was liked by everybody. He was just very popular in the community, did so much for the kids,” said Glenn Stephenson, a baseball parent. “I’m still in shock. It hasn’t really set in yet. I just had to drive out here this morning and, you know, try to understand it.”
David Schwarz lives in San Antonio, but he and rex played football in college and remained close ever since. Schwarz said Tex was driving the convertible because his heavy-duty truck was in the shop. He can’t help but wonder if Rex would have lived if he had been in that truck.
“I'm still in shock a little bit. Not a little bit a lot… yeah, I'm still in shock,” Schwarz said.
The baseball training facility Rex was arriving at was closed on Friday. Officials are still investigating what caused the tree to fall, but it’s believed the severe weather in the area at the time is the likely cause.