HOUSTON – Family and friends hosted a benefit on Wednesday night to raise money for a Dayton family involved in a fatal car crash.
The crash happened Dec. 3 along FM 1960 in Huffman.
William Devening’s family and a family friend were on their way to a Christmas Party, but friends started to worry when they didn’t show up.
“He’s a Marine and he’s never late,” said Julia Appleton.
Appleton soon learned the Devening family and 25-year-old Courtney Anderson had been involved in a horrific car crash.
According to police, a car veered out of its lane, hitting the Devenings and pushing their vehicle into oncoming traffic. William Devening, his wife, Cynthia, and their 10-year-old daughter were all transported to the hospital with serious injuries. Their 7-year-old son, Clifton Devening, along with Anderson, didn’t survive the crash.
“It’s devastating. I have a 15-year-old son and a 12-year-old daughter and I can’t imagine losing one of my children,” said Steve Cosby.
Cosby is part of the nonprofit organization Texas Adaptive Aquatics. He doesn’t know the Devening family, but when the group heard about the accident, they helped family friends organize a benefit.
It was held Wednesday night at The Tin Cup Sports Bar in Huffman.
“We knew we needed to do something,” Appleton said.
They served food and auctioned off items to raise money for the family’s medical and funeral expenses.
William Devening is still in the hospital, trying to recover.
Cynthia Devening and their daughter were released Wednesday.
Friends say William is a decorated Marine veteran, now fighting the biggest battle of his life.
A “youcaring” fund set up for the family has already raised more than $10,000. To donate, click here.