FORT WORTH, TX – A deadly wrong-way collision in Fort Worth claimed the lives of five people, including Chelsea Cook, whose family is now left to remember her vibrant personality and future plans with her fiancé.
The incident occurred early Sunday morning on Northwest Loop 820. Cook, 33, was eagerly anticipating her wedding after getting engaged three weeks prior. Her fiancé, Evan Ranallo, survived the accident and is recuperating from injuries sustained during the crash.
Laurel Summerfield, Cook’s mother, fondly recounted her daughter’s excitement about the engagement. Ranallo had a custom-made ring designed by Cook’s best friend, a jewelry designer based in Santa Fe. Now, amid mourning, Cook’s family is offering support to Ranallo as he battles to recover physically and emotionally.
According to police reports, a vehicle carrying a family of four drove in the wrong direction, leading to the catastrophic head-on crash. Both parents and their two children in the wrong-way vehicle were killed, along with Cook. Investigators are perplexed as to why the vehicle was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes at 3:30 a.m.
Ranallo, who had performed with his band earlier Saturday evening, was completing his post-show routine of transporting equipment back to the rehearsal space. The couple was returning home when the tragedy struck.
Summerfield disclosed that Ranallo learned about Cook’s death only after he was able to communicate with his family in the hospital. The nature of the fire resulting from the crash means authorities may not ascertain the blood alcohol content of those in the wrong-way vehicle.
The identities of the family of four traveling in the wrong direction have yet to be confirmed by the medical examiner.