The local music community in Hurst has rallied together to support one of their own, Evan Ranallo after a tragic wrong-way crash left him the sole survivor among the six people involved. The accident, which occurred on Northwest Loop 820 in Fort Worth, tragically claimed the lives of Ranallo's fiancé, Chelsea Cook, and a family of four in the other car. Ranallo, a guitarist who played in five different bands, has been hospitalized for seven weeks following the incident, much longer than the initially expected 10-day stay.
To help manage the considerable medical expenses accrued by his prolonged recovery, Ranallo's bandmates and the music community decisively came together to organize a benefit concert. "He’s that go-to guy. So we had to figure out a way to be that go-to person for him," Aaron Allen, one of Ranallo's bandmates, told FOX4 News in their report. This initiative not only served to raise funds but also to honor the memories of those lost in the crash.
The event, held at O'Shea's Bar and Grill in Hurst, featured live music, raffles, and a silent auction, with all donations destined to assist Ranallo in his journey back to health. A memory table was set up to honor Cook, with her mother stating, "I’m sure she’s dancing," acknowledging her daughter's vibrant spirit and the love and support she received from the community. "Why would you not do this? It was like the first thought we had after this all happened," Allen recalled about planning the benefit concert, as referenced in an interview by NBC DFW.
The event's proceeds were pledged to directly support Ranallo's recovery, with community members and friends showing up in full force to contribute. "It’s overwhelming, it’s really overwhelming. All the support is incredible," said Kelly Ranallo, Evan's mother, in her statement to FOX4 News. Hopes are high within the Ranallo family that Evan will be able to leave the hospital before Christmas, to begin to once again engage with the life and music that he holds dear.
