Blake Shelton Pays Tributes To Victims Of Tragic Oklahoma Car Crash
By Movieguide® Contributor
Blake Shelton is paying tribute to the six teenage girls who lost their lives in a tragic car accident in Shelton’s hometown of Tishomingo, Oklahoma.
“In the wake of yesterday’s unthinkable crash in our small town of Tishomingo, we as a community have all been in shock and broken-hearted,” Shelton said in a statement shared with PEOPLE. “I personally know the devastation of suddenly losing a loved one in a car accident. But our community is strong and has come together to support and wrap our arms around the families and friends that are hurting the most.”
Shelton’s statement referenced his own personal loss of his 24 year-old brother Richie in a 1990 car crash. He has been very open about the impact his brother’s death has had on him.
“I remember picking up the phone to call him a week after he was dead, to tell him something. I was picking up the phone to call him, to tell him something I just saw on TV or, and it was like constantly a shock to me that he was dead,” Shelton said in a 60 MINUTES interview in 2014.
The Tishomingo car accident occurred earlier this week when a car carrying six teenage girls collided with a tractor-trailer.
“Our prayers are with each of the families involved and our community. This is an absolute tragedy which will have lifelong effects,” the Johnston County Oklahoma Sheriff’s Office said on Facebook. “This community and families need our support and prayers at this time.”
Shelton is an active member in his community.
Movieguide® has previously reported on Shelton’s public displays of compassion for the people in his native Oklahoma:
Country Singer Blake Shelton donated $150,000 to help his home state of Oklahoma defeat hunger.
During Oklahoma’s ABC-TV affiliate KOCO 5’s Give From Home Day virtual fundraiser, Shelton sent in a video with his pledge to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.
According to Taste of Country, the fundraiser lasted one day and would include a matching donation up to $100,000.
The video he sent in was shared by the news station.
“A lot of Oklahomans are going to bed hungry tonight. That’s not something that I can live with,” Shelton said. “That’s why I’m going to be donating to my Regional Food Bank, the Oklahoma Food Bank. I hope you will join me and help from home. Send in that donation because a lot of people out there are counting on us.”
- Content: +2Share:
- Content: +4