Texas father, son among 84 dead in France terror attack

AUSTIN, Texas, July 15 (UPI) -- A 51-year-old Texas man and his 11-year-old son were among the 84 people killed in Nice when a terror suspect driving a truck plowed into a crowd.

Sean Copeland and his son Brodie were vacationing with their family in the resort town when they were killed. Family friend Jess Davis released the following statement on behalf of the family:

"We are heartbroken and in shock over the loss of Brodie Copeland, an amazing son and brother who lit up our lives, and Sean Copeland, a wonderful husband and father," the statement said. "They are so loved."

The Copelands live in Lakeway, Texas, a population 12,000 town located about 30 miles outside Austin. Sean Copeland worked for Lexmark as the vice president of North and South America for Lexmark's Kapow Software Division.

The family was on a European vacation that began with stops in the Spanish cities of Pamplona and Barcelona. Family members confirmed the deaths on social media.

#PrayForNice #PrayersForFrance pic.twitter.com/NEh2N4yRT2

— heather copeland (@_hcopeland) July 15, 2016

A memorial on Facebook said Sean Copeland attended the University of North Texas in Denton. A post on the Hill Country Baseball Facebook page said the Copelands were a "wonderful family." Sean Copeland coached Brodie's baseball team.