‘A vibrant spirit:’ Family, friends remember woman killed in wrong-way Fort Worth crash
A 33-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on a Fort Worth highway early Sunday was a beautiful soul who lived life to the fullest, according to her family and friends.
Chelsea Cook and her fiancé, Evan Ranallo, were headed westbound on Northwest Loop 820 on Oct. 27 when their pickup was struck by a Ford Focus traveling east in the westbound lanes, according to police. Cook died at the scene, and Ranallo was injured and taken to John Peter Smith Hospital. The four people occupying the Ford Focus, including two children, were also killed in the crash.
Sandy Cunningham, the CEO and co-founder of UNCHARTED, where Cook worked as a travel designer, said the company is reeling from the loss.
“She had such a vibrant spirit,” Cunningham said.
According to Cunningham, Cook started working with the travel company about eight years ago. She helped clients from all walks and stations in life plan their vacations, and always “brought so much magic to their trips.”
Family was important to Cook, Cunningham said, and she was extremely happy in her relationship with Ranallo. The two got engaged on Oct. 6, according to Cook’s social media profile.
Cunningham said her last phone conversation with Cook was full of plans for the 33-year-old’s upcoming wedding. Cunningham asked where she wanted to go for her honeymoon, and Cook said Madagascar.
“She just lived life to the utmost,” Cunningham said.
Cook’s co-workers have organized a GoFundMe to help cover Ranallo’s medical expenses and to ensure he can keep their house and dogs.
Cook’s mother, Laurel Summerfield, told KXAS-TV that her daughter was outgoing with a bubbly personality.
“She had a penchant for finding people struggling socially or not confident, and building them up,” Summerfield said. “She always wanted to help the underdog.”
Cook and Ranallo met through a dating app about four years ago when Cook was living in Arkansas, according to their best friends, Chandys Scott and Kevin Scott. Ranallo would drive to see her every weekend until she moved to North Texas a couple of years ago.
“They were each others’ loves of their lives,” Kevin Scott told the Star-Telegram. “She was everything to him and vice versa.”
Chandys Scott said she and Cook bonded over their mutual love of “The Simpsons.” People gravitated to Cook wherever she went, and she never had a bad word to say about anyone.
According to Chandys Scott, Cook’s favorite place in the world was Africa. She was able to visit the continent often through her job with UNCHARTED, and she loved the people and animals there.
“She could never be replaced,” Chandys Scott said.
The North Texas couple was on their way home from a Halloween performance by Ranallo’s band — So Long, Goodnight — when the accident occurred, according to friends. Summerfield told KXAS that they were only about a mile from their exit.
Fort Worth police are investigating the crash, including trying to determine why the Ford Focus was traveling the wrong direction, and where the family inside the car were coming from and their destination. Both vehicles caught fire after the collision. The family of four who occupied the Focus have not yet been identified by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office.
“We mourn the loss of the beautiful soul of Chelsea, whose laughter and humor will continue to ring and make us smile,” Ranallo’s bandmates posted on social media. “We remain by the side of Evan and his family as they navigate their journey ahead.”
This story was originally published October 29, 2024 at 2:53 PM.
