Current:Home > FinanceTaylor Swift Fan Killed By Suspected Drunk Driver After Leaving Eras Tour Concert in Houston -AssetScope
Taylor Swift Fan Killed By Suspected Drunk Driver After Leaving Eras Tour Concert in Houston
View
Date:2025-04-19 04:37:45
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! (124)
Related
- Boy who wandered away from his 5th birthday party found dead in canal, police say
- Men’s March Madness Saturday recap: Creighton outlasts Oregon; Tennessee, Illinois win
- Riley Strain: Timeline from student's disappearance until his body was found in Nashville
- Shawn Johnson's Kids Are Most Excited For This Part of Their Trip to the 2024 Olympics
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- What is Purim? What to know about the Jewish holiday that begins Saturday evening
- Alabama's Nate Oats pokes fun at Charles Barkley's bracket being busted after Auburn loss
- South Dakota man sentenced to 10 years for manslaughter in 2013 death of girlfriend
- 9/11 hearings at Guantanamo Bay in upheaval after surprise order by US defense chief
- These 12 Amazon Deals Are All 60% Off (Or More): $20 Adidas Pants, $10 Maidenform Bras, And More
Ranking
- Connie Chiume, Black Panther Actress, Dead at 72: Lupita Nyong'o and More Pay Tribute
- Patrick Mahomes and Brittany Mahomes Bring Their Kids to Meet Bluey in Adorable Photo
- It's National Puppy Day: Celebrate Your Fur Baby With Amazon's Big Spring Sale Pet Deals
- Shop QVC's Free Ship Weekend & Save Big on Keurig, Dyson, Tile Bluetooth Trackers & More
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- Elmo advises people to hum away their frustrations and anger in new video on mental health
- USMNT Concacaf Nations League final vs. Mexico: How to stream, game time, rosters
- Palm Sunday is this weekend; What the Holy Day means for Christians
Recommendation
From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
Thunderstorms delay flights at Miami airport, suspend music festival and disrupt tennis tournament
Kansas started at No. 1 and finished March Madness with a second-round loss. What went wrong?
18-year-old charged with vehicular homicide in crash that killed a woman and 3 children in a van
Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
Book excerpt: Age of Revolutions by Fareed Zakaria
Save up to 50% on Kitchen Gadgets & Gizmos Aplenty from Amazon’s Big Spring Sale
Mega Millions winning numbers for March 22 drawing: Lottery jackpot soars to $977 million