‘Whole town rallied’: Lampasas rallies behind family of woman killed in hit-and-run on I-14

LAMPASAS, Texas (KWTX) – The Lampasas community is showing support for the family of Corinna Popa, nearly three months after she was killed. On Saturday, organizers held a chili fundraiser and silent auction at the Lampasas VFW Post.

“As my mother, the world goes on,” said Corinna’s sister, Allison Pope. “It’s nice to have a moment where the world and everyone just stops for him.”

Within an hour of the start of the event, the organizers ran out of chili. Corinna’s family members said the event brought back memories.

“It’s been hard because it all seems to have come back,” Ellison said. “It’s only been a few months.”

Back on Nov. 17, Corinna was killed in a hit-and-run on I-14 between Killeen and Copperas Cove near the Bell Tower exit. Officials said he was killed by a truck. That driver pulled over to help, but the second driver then hit him and drove off.

Corinna’s mother, Tammy Pope, said: “Everything I look at reminds me of her, everything I do.” “I’m trying to think of something else.”

Corinna struggled with schizoaffective disorder, a mental health condition categorized by schizophrenia and mood disorder symptoms.

“His happiest moments were Christmas and it was hard to be without him,” Allison said. “Then there was Thanksgiving. It’s hard to be here, but it’s easier than raising money right after the fundraiser.”

Between eating chili and spending in the silent auction, the event raised nearly $3,500.

“The whole town came because the whole town saw him every day,” Ellison said. “Almost everyone in town knows him.”

All the money goes directly to the college fund of Corinna’s only child: her 10-year-old son Dante.

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