By Sara Smart, CNN
Taylor Swift fans have come out in support of a fellow fan who was killed early Saturday morning after leaving Swift’s concert in Houston.
Jacob Lewis, 20, was struck and killed by a drunk driver after The Tour of the Eras show at Houston’s NRG Stadium on Friday night.
TO GoFundMe was created for Lewis and as of Wednesday afternoon, more than 8,000 “Swifties” have donated more than $125,000.
Most are donating $13, which is known to fans as Swift’s favorite number.
Karyn and Steve Lewis, Jacob’s parents, told CNN the money donated will go towards a scholarship for theater students in the Katy, Texas area.
“If we could get it back, that would be our choice, but that’s not an option, so we have to go ahead and do what we can to support others,” Steve told CNN.
Lewis started musical theater in sixth grade and was in three to four plays a year, so it was important for the family to give back to other actors, as that’s what he would have wanted, the Lewises said.
Lewis attended the April 21 show with his sister, April Bancroft, after she gave him the tickets for Christmas.
After the show, the two were driving north on the Southwest Freeway when the vehicle was disabled. She got out of the vehicle to push it from behind, according to a press release from the Houston Police Department.
Another car traveling on the freeway struck Lewis and the car. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the other vehicle has been charged with felony drunk driving and failure to stop and render assistance.
Despite the tragedy, the Lewises are glad that Jacob and April were able to enjoy the show as their last experience together. “They had a great time, they dressed up for it and they really enjoyed the show,” Steve said.
The Lewises described Jacob as a cheerful and supportive person who “gave the best hugs.”
“Jacob was able to shine and spread happiness to everyone he met,” April told CNN. “He discovered a different way to allow each person to have a special connection with him. He was incredibly talented and unfortunately he will never be able to shine the way he was supposed to.”
Jacob was always working to hone his talents in theater and was even accepted into the music program at Sam Houston State University last week.
“We’ve had support from people who don’t even know us and now we can honor it in a special way,” Steve said.
CNN has reached out to Swift’s team for comment.
The CNN Wire
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