'Bigger than the whole sky': Taylor Swift fans unite and raise more than $100K for Jacob Lewis' family
HOUSTON, TEXAS: Fans of Taylor Swift have joined hands to support the family of a fellow Swiftie, Jacob Lewis, a 20-year-old hit by a car as he was exiting the singer's concert in Houston in the early hours of Saturday, April 22, at 1.15 am.
According to Houston Police, 34-year-old Alan Bryant was allegedly drunk when he mowed down two people before fleeing. Since the crash, fans of the 'Lover' singer have banded together to pay their respects to one of their own, posting hundreds of messages and contributing thousands of dollars to assist Lewis' family.
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'You were bigger than the whole sky'
A GoFundMe started for him raised $101,992 and more than 6,000 people donated at the time of writing. Hundreds of Swifties paid $13, the 'Exile' singer's lucky number, and posted her songs' lyrics to honor his life.
A person commented on the fundraiser, "$13. you were bigger than the whole sky." Another donor said, "Sending the biggest healing vibes to friends & family. taylor loved you dearly & the world was so lucky to have your presence here. rest easy." "RIP fellow Swiftie," said another fan. One Swiftie wrote, "This world can be so cruel. Rest in Peace Jacob." "A swiftie gone too soon!" mentioned another.
'He was such light'
People took to Twitter to express their support for the 20-year-old Swiftie, and many were moved by the $13 donations and prayers. A person tweeted, "The $13 donations with the “long live” comment has me crying." Another fan wrote, "Jacob had such an impact on my life and other’s lives. he was such a light. please consider donating to his family <3." "It reminds me of the unreleased song “brought up that way” RIP swiftie jacob," remarked another user. "All the $13 donations," said another user. "My heart breaks, there are no words. But knowing his last act was to save his sister. Speaks volumes. You’re in my prayers," another user said.
jacob had such an impact on my life and other’s lives. he was such a light. please consider donating to his family <3
— madeline 🏠 (@MadelineStout8) April 24, 2023
it reminds me of the unreleased song “brought up that way”
— PAM&REA (@pam_and_rea) April 24, 2023
RIP swiftie jacob 🤍 @daniellashaira_
My heart breaks, there are no words. But knowing his last act was to save his sister. Speaks volumes. You’re in my prayers.
— Marissa Denise (@thesimplesong) April 25, 2023
What happened to Jacob Lewis?
Lewis and his sister, April Bancroft, had pulled over to the side of the road after their vehicle broke down after leaving NRG Stadium, where Swift was performing as part of her The Eras Tour. As the 20-year-old musical theater student stepped out to push the car, he was allegedly run over by Bryant. "You know, to make it worse, the driver (Bryant) got out, helped my daughter get my son out from under his car, saw what had happened and got in his car and left," Lewis' father, Steve, told KHOU.
According to the police, authorities were called in to assist, and Bryant was arrested after being followed by a tow truck driver who witnessed the incident. Lewis' parents expressed gratitude to the public for their support. Bancroft was hurt in the incident but she is expected to live. Bryant has been charged with failing to stop and render aid, and he may face additional charges, police said.
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