Houston – A man was killed early Saturday morning shortly after leaving a Taylor Swift concert when he was struck on the Southwest Interstate.
Houston police said the accident occurred at about 1:15 a.m. Saturday at the 900 block of Southwest Interstate. Police said Jacob Charles Lewis, 20, was in a red Buick LaCrosse that had become disabled in a northbound lane.
Lewis went out to push the car shoulder length towards an exit while his sister was behind the wheel when a black Volkswagen Beetle, driven by 34-year-old Alan Bryant Hayes, collided with Lewis and the vehicle. Lewis died at the scene. April Bancroft, Lois’s sister, suffered minor bruises and scrapes.
“It was a night I had been looking forward to for a very long time and it took an absolute turn for the worst,” said Bancroft. “What I hope is the worst thing I have to live through.”
Police said Hayes fled the scene.
“Well, he stopped and got out and helped my daughter pull my son up, pulled Jacob off the driver’s side tire, and only then did he get back in his car and drove off and left,” said Steve Lewis, Jacob’s father.
Steve described the truck driver who followed Hayes as a hero. Police stopped Hayes at the 4500 Caroline Street complex, where Hayes allegedly fled on foot. The police managed to track him down and arrest him.
Hayes was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital for evaluation. He is accused of not stopping and offering assistance as well as with a DWI. Court records show that Hayes has been charged with DWI twice before.
“This is really disappointing. Obviously this guy made some bad decisions and it cost my son his life,” Steve said.
Lewis was taking a break year from Sam Houston State University to work, and was expecting to return in the fall as a sophomore majoring in musical theater, according to his father. The 20-year-old also loved listening to music, playing music, and competing in the Pokémon World Tournaments.
Friends of the Lewis family set up an online fundraiser to help with the expenses. You can donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/9sp7kz-jacob-lewis
Hayes is scheduled to appear in court on April 24.
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