Current:Home > NewsTaylor Swift Fan Killed By Suspected Drunk Driver After Leaving Eras Tour Concert in Houston-LoTradeCoin
Taylor Swift Fan Killed By Suspected Drunk Driver After Leaving Eras Tour Concert in Houston
View Date:2025-01-14 13:07:08
Taylor Swift's fans are saying "Long Live" to a fellow Swiftie.
Jacob Lewis, 20, died on April 22 after being hit by a suspected drunk driver while leaving a Taylor Swift concert, according to local outlet KPRC. He was reportedly driving back from the Eras Tour show in Houston, Texas with sister April Bancroft when they ran into car issues.
The 20-year-old was driving a Buick LaCrosse on South U.S. Highway 59 around 1:15 a.m. when the "vehicle became disabled," according to an April 24 press release from Houston police that didn't name the victim. Authorities said he stepped out to push their car when he was hit by Alan Bryant Hayes, 34, driving a Volkswagen Beetle. Lewis died at the scene.
Lewis' dad Steve Lewis told KPRC that Hayes "stopped and got out and helped my daughter pull my son, pull Jacob from under his driver-side tire." He said the alleged suspect then fled, adding, "Only after that did he get back in his car and drive off and leave."
Hayes was eventually taken into custody and charged with a DWI, as well as failure to stop and render aid, police said. E! News has reached out to Harris County police for lawyer information for Hayes but has not heard back.
In the wake of his death, Swift's fans have been coming together to pay their respects with $13 donations—the singer's lucky number—to Lewis' GoFundMe page, as well as share lyrics from her emotional songs "Long Live" and "Bigger Than the Whole Sky." The donations have surpassed $120,000 as of April 25.
Lewis' sister told KPRC how she was coping with the unimaginable loss of her brother. "It was the night I had been looking forward to for a very long time and turned for the absolute worst," Bancroft said. "What I hope will be the worst thing I have to live through."
She also reflected on the tragedy on Twitter, resharing a video of the siblings at the April 21 concert. "I cannot even describe the pain I feel at this moment for the loss of my brother," she tweeted. "We loved you so much @taylorswift13. Thank you for making this our last memory together."
In light of the support she's received from fans, Bancroft added, "I cannot express the overwhelming happiness and gratitude from every #Swiftie out there. Thank you thank you thank you. I will get to your messages eventually if I haven't already, your words have inspired me through my day so much."
Lewis was taking a gap year from Sam Houston State University when he died, according to KPRC. He was passionate about Pokémon, Dungeons & Dragons and the Black Lives Matter movement, per his Twitter page.
"He was a really talented actor and singer," Lewis' dad told CBS' KHOU11 News. "[He] loved being on stage and performing. He was a good friend to a lot of people around him and just a really good kid."
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (66)
Related
- The USDA is testing raw milk for the avian flu. Is raw milk safe?
- Can you drink on antibiotics? Here's what happens to your body when you do.
- US needs win to ensure Americans avoid elimination in group play for first time in Women’s World Cup
- 'Don't get on these rides': Music Express ride malfunctions, flings riders in reverse
- John Krasinski Details Moment He Knew Wife Emily Blunt Was “the One”
- Biden goes west to talk about his administration’s efforts to combat climate change
- Yellow is shutting down and headed for bankruptcy, the Teamsters Union says. Here’s what to know
- SEC football coach rankings: Kirby Smart passes Nick Saban; where's Josh Heupel?
- 'Yellowstone' premiere: Record ratings, Rip's ride and Billy Klapper's tribute
- Extreme Rain From Atmospheric Rivers and Ice-Heating Micro-Cracks Are Ominous New Threats to the Greenland Ice Sheet
Ranking
- Trump’s economic agenda for his second term is clouding the outlook for mortgage rates
- Malala Yousafzai Has Entered Her Barbie Era With the Ultimate Just Ken Moment
- These are the top 10 youngest wealthiest women in America. Can you guess who they are?
- Horoscopes Today, July 30, 2023
- Wendi McLendon-Covey talks NBC sitcom 'St. Denis Medical' and hospital humor
- 6 hit in possible intentional vehicular assault, police say
- Pressure? Megan Rapinoe, USWNT embrace it: 'Hell yeah. This is exactly where we want to be.'
- Tyler Childers' new video 'In Your Love' hailed for showing gay love in rural America
Recommendation
-
Mississippi expects only a small growth in state budget
-
‘Conscience’ bills let medical providers opt out of providing a wide range of care
-
Twitter, now called X, reinstates Kanye West's account
-
'The Continental': Everything we know about the 'John Wick' spinoff series coming in September
-
Nelly will not face charges after St. Louis casino arrest for drug possession
-
'Like a broken record': Aaron Judge can't cure what ails Yankees as trade deadline looms
-
Death toll rises to 54 after blast at Pakistan political gathering
-
Biden administration announces $345 million weapons package for Taiwan