Splendora hosts splendid fundraiser for #FrazierGirls

SPLENDORA, Texas - If you haven’t visited Splendora before, but ventured to East Montgomery County Saturday to participate in the community fundraiser for Shea and Brad Frazier, you knew you were headed in the right direction when you passed the memorial cross adorned with flowers and the initials “SB,” on the feeder of I-59N just after the 2010 exit.

The couple was killed May 17, when their SUV was struck from behind by an alleged drunk driver, Alejandro Guzman-Lopez, traveling over 100 miles an hour. Fortunately their two daughters, a two-year old, and a new-born infant who is now just nine weeks old, were unharmed. The whereabouts of their pet dog, who was believed injured in the accident, is unknown.

The community put on a brave face and provided a light-hearted event at the Splendora High School football stadium with music, great food, and camaraderie, to benefit the children. The light rain shower prior to the fundraiser didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits, and in fact, lowered the temperature and provided a comfortable cloud cover for the duration of the event. Entertainment was provided by Montgomery’s own Josh Ward, and also featured Jody Booth, and Brian Sacco & Daniel Holmes.

Pulled pork BBQ sandwiches, cold lemonade, games, and jump-ups, were among some of the offerings, a midway of vendors, and both a live and silent auction rounded out the day’s events. Bidding on the silent auction was fierce, and the live auction had almost everything from A to Z...a bear hunt to Yeti coolers.

“It's amazing that the community pulled this together in just three weeks,” said Margie Taylor of Taylorized PR. The wife of Easy Montgomery County Fire Chief Jeff Taylor, she credited the firefighters with much of the hard work and heavy lifting.

Psychologists say it often helps to talk to others when dealing with grief or trauma. Despite the gaiety, there were some who need to talk. One was Sean Allison who described in detail how he chased down the suspect, getting one arm around the man’s neck, and swinging him to the ground, i.e. ‘bulldogging’ him.

“I saw people pointing at the man running away from the accident scene, and yelling at me to get him,” said Allison. "After tackling him he kept yelling, “Get off me, get off me! I'm not going back to jail.” He reeked of alcohol. I could smell it while sitting on him until the police arrived. When I got back in my vehicle I could smell the alcohol on my clothing."

Allison couldn’t have elevated his comments to a higher level. The individual he was sharing the details with, was his own U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady. Brady spent several hours at the event to just be a part of the community, show his support, and listen.

The punishment for driving while intoxicated has been strengthened in Texas, and per the Texas Department of Transportation, a first offense includes:

• A fine of up to $2,000
• Three days to 180 days in jail
• Loss of driver license up to a year
• Annual fee of $1,000 or $2,000 for three years to retain driver license<p>

Some on hand asked Congressman Brady what more can we do. A big proponent of the words “We, the people,” Brady is always quick to ask, “What do you think we should do? What would you recommend?” He then takes the recommendations and advocates ‘for the people.’ Also on hand...Michelle Patton and Brandon Alsobrooks, who were returning from Splashtown with Michelle’s teenage daughters the day of the accident. They were witnesses to the accident and first on the scene to render assistance.

“I saw him bearing down on us in my rearview mirror and got out of his way,” said Brandon. “He flew by us and hit the Frazers from behind, flipping their vehicle over.”

Alsobrooks said smoke from the deployed airbags created a sense of urgency, and he got the two children out of the car as quickly as possible, carrying each of them out still in their safety car seats. Fortunately neither one was injured in the accident. Brandon Alsobrooks and Sean Allison were awarded plaques for their heroism at Saturday’s fundraiser.

When Michelle Patton approached the car, she said she was shocked to see that there were babies in the car. Seeing that they were being safely removed, she attended to Shea Frazier.

“I didn’t want to move her, I wanted the EMTs to do that. I just stayed with her and talked to her,” said Patton. “I haven’t had a chance to talk to Shea’s parents yet, but I want them to know that someone was with her at the time of her death; that she wasn’t alone. Just one mom looking after another mom.”

Plenty of other mothers were on hand to support the two Frazier girls, and show their support for Jill Frazier, Brad Frazier’s sister-in-law, who has custody of his two daughters in addition to her own three. Among them was also Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD), and Krysta's Karing Angels whose poignant message is displayed on trailered vehicles destroyed in DWI accidents.

Everyone in the close-knit community of Splendora contributed in some way. Either volunteering to erect tents, donate essential items like bottled water, purchase a BBQ lunch, or bid on something in the auctions. If unable to attend, but willing to contribute in some way, contact Woodforest Bank for information about the trust fund for the Frazier girls, visit the MADD website, or email your Congressman Kevin Brady, with your ideas. See related links.

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UPDATE: Splendora fundraiser schedule for #FrazierGirls Benefit

The community bids farewell to Brad and Shea Frazier

#FrazierGirls #MADD #DontDrinkAndDrive