Current:Home > reviewsTaylor Swift Fan Killed By Suspected Drunk Driver After Leaving Eras Tour Concert in Houston -WealthX
Taylor Swift Fan Killed By Suspected Drunk Driver After Leaving Eras Tour Concert in Houston
View
Date:2025-04-18 16:15:03
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! (8543)
Related
- 'Most Whopper
- Kevin Federline Shares Update on Britney Spears’ “Reconciliation” With Sons Sean and Jayden
- Louisiana’s health secretary taking on new role of state surgeon general
- Illinois man accused in mass shooting at Fourth of July parade expected to change not-guilty plea
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- Closing arguments starting in class-action lawsuit against NFL by ‘Sunday Ticket’ subscribers
- Closing arguments starting in class-action lawsuit against NFL by ‘Sunday Ticket’ subscribers
- ‘Babies killing babies:' Teenagers charged in shooting that killed 3-year-old and wounded 7-year-old
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- Ulta’s Summer Beauty Sale Is Here—Score Redken, Estée Lauder, Sun Bum & More Beauty Faves up to 45% Off
Ranking
- See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
- In Karen Read’s murder trial, was it deadly romance or police corruption? Jurors must decide
- Texas Roadhouse rolls out frozen bread rolls to bake at home. Find out how to get them.
- Athing Mu's appeal denied in 800 after fall at Olympic trials
- Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
- Travis and Jason Kelce Detail Meeting “Coolest Motherf--cking Dude Prince William and His Kids
- World War II POW from Louisiana accounted for 82 years after Bataan Death March
- Saipan, placid island setting for Assange’s last battle, is briefly mobbed — and bemused by the fuss
Recommendation
2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
Trump Media's wild rollercoaster ride: Why volatile DJT stock is gaining steam
Only 1 in 5 workers nearing retirement is financially on track: It will come down to hard choices
Florida man kills mother and 2 other women before dying in gunfight with deputies, sheriff says
Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
Where Todd Chrisley's Appeal Stands After Julie's Overturned Prison Sentence
Julie Chrisley to be resentenced for bank fraud scheme, original prison time thrown out
Billy Ray Cyrus Accuses Ex Firerose of Physical, Emotional and Verbal Abuse Amid Divorce