Alleged drunk driver strikes, kills Taylor Swift fan on manner dwelling from Houston live performance
An alleged drunk driver struck and killed a Taylor Swift fan who was heading dwelling from the star’s live performance in Houston over the weekend in a horrific hit-and-run crash.
Jacob Lewis, 20, and his sister have been driving again from Swift’s “Eras” Tour at NRG Stadium when their automotive stalled on the Southwest Freeway early Saturday, in accordance with Houston police and members of the family.
Lewis obtained out of the car and was pushing it from behind whereas his sibling sat behind the wheel when the 34-year-old driver, recognized as Alan Bryant Hayes, slammed into him and the automotive from behind, police mentioned.
His sister, April Bancroft, told ABC 13 that she witnessed her brother’s violent demise.
“I instantly ran to him and referred to as 911,” she mentioned. “And that was it.”
Lewis was pronounced useless on the scene, whereas Hayes — who has a historical past of drunk driving — fled the scene within the black Volkswagen Beetle, cops mentioned.
The motive force of a tow truck who witnessed the crash adopted Hayes to the 4500 block of Caroline Avenue the place he exited his automotive and ran off on foot.
He was later arrested by Houston police and brought to an space hospital for remedy of minor accidents.
Hayes was then charged with felony driving whereas intoxicated (third offense) and failure to cease and render help.
He was booked on a $90,000 bond.
Hayes was beforehand charged with DWIs in 2014 and 2015, in accordance with ABC 13.
Bancroft mentioned she is selecting to recollect her final moments along with her brother singing alongside to Swift songs fairly than the ugly crash, the native outlet reported.
“Understanding we had that have as our final reminiscence is one thing fantastic to carry on to, and I’ll eternally,” she mentioned.
Within the wake of Lewis’ demise, fellow Swift followers, referred to as “Swifties,” banded collectively to assist his household — flooding a GoFundMe web page created for his funeral prices with $13 donations in honor of Swift’s favourite quantity.
As of Monday night time, the web page had raised greater than $93,000.
The sufferer’s father Steve Lewis mentioned his son, who cherished singing and taking part in music, was set to start his sophomore yr within the musical theater program at Sam Houston State College within the fall.
“Jacob can be remembered as a loving and devoted younger man who was loyal to his household and associates,” Steve Lewis mentioned in a Fb publish. “His final act was to push his sister to security on a darkish avenue. There isn’t a option to describe the magnitude of this loss and the vacancy left in our hearts.”