FORT WORTH, Texas — The mother of a woman killed in a horrific wrong-way crash in Fort Worth is sharing memories as their family waits to learn more from investigators. Laurel Summerfield wants everyone to know the impact her daughter has had on others as they cope with losing her.
“This is just something that we never could have imagined," said Laurel Summerfield.
The grieving mother shared photos with WFAA of her daughter. She also described her personality during a phone interview just days after the crash. Chelsea was the extrovert in the family according to her mom.
"Chelsea would be the best person probably in the entire family to be doing these interviews. She's probably up there just laughing away at us fielding all these phone calls because she was the biggest extrovert you could imagine," said Laurel Summerfield, “Chelsea was the bubbliest of the bubbly and the friendliest of the friendly.”
The friendly 33-year-old who loved taking pictures with her fiancé, Evan Ranallo, did not survive a head-on collision. Laurel shared with WFAA that Evan is undergoing major surgery from the crash and has been in the ICU since it happened.
The couple was driving home after dropping off band equipment when the crash happened on Northwest Loop 820 around 3:30 a.m. on Sunday. Fort Worth Police said a family of four going the wrong way crashed into their pickup truck, killing the family and Chelsea. Laurel's son visited the crash location to try to help make sense of the crash for his family.
“Evan would never have ever put our daughter in danger," said Laurel Summerfield.
It's hard to take in as Laurel and the rest of the family wait for answers about Chelsea's death. Still, she shared memories about her life.
Chelsea cherished childhood gifts like a cup from her mom with the words "Big Hug Mug" on the side. It was a birthday surprise for Chelsea as a kid when she had to miss one of her birthday gatherings. Laurel also shared a photo of Chelsea when she traveled to Africa where she was a travel designer. Another photo shows Chelsea with her beloved dog named Frankie.
Laurel also talked about how Chelsea's bigger-than-life smile automatically lifted people's spirits who were feeling down and out. “She was all about the underdog, always looking for people who were awkward or struggling or dysfunctional and just basically going at it saying you got this."
Laurel is thankful for family, friends and even strangers who are donating to a GoFundMe for her would-be son-in-law, set up by his friends showing another smiling photo of Chelsea. The two had already purchased a home together and Laurel wants nothing more than for Evan to be able to keep the house. The fundraiser will help him with his mortgage and medical bills.
Laurel Summerfield said, “We've given permission to do this because Evan and Chelsea were engaged three weeks ago. Chelsea had been so discouraged about how high the prices had gotten, and she kept telling me, 'I don't think we're going to be able to buy a house' and 'I don't know how to do this.' We sat down and had a little come to Jesus talk and I said, 'Don't say that you can't do it. You figure out what it will take to do it.' That very day she went and asked for a raise and got it."
Laurel told WFAA that a photo showing Evan proposing to Chelsea at a hot air balloon fiesta is her favorite. She talked about how much Evan loves Chelsea along with so many of her friends and family.
The medical examiner has yet to identify the family killed in the crash, which is something Laurel and her family are waiting to learn too.
“We don't understand why they were going the wrong way on a highway like that," Lauren Summerfield said, “She was loved by so many people.”