rest in peace, Zach.

From Facebook, July 10

Yesterday morning as the band was driving from Chicago to Shakopee, MN, the rear right wheel of the car exploded, causing the car to lose control immediately and begin rolling on the highway. Steven and Trevor were airlifted to nearby hospitals where they have spent yesterday and today recovering—Zach Booher was killed immediately.

No one can speak in words the tragedy of losing Zach. He was notonly an amazing musician in While We’re Up, but he was also an irreplaceable friend to countless numbers of people. Hundreds have done so already, but if you have any memories of Zach you would like to share please feel free to do that here or on his personal Facebook page wall.

All of our thoughts go out to the Booher family, as they endure one of the greatest losses of their lives.

We love you Zach.

From Facebook, July 13

Updates since the car crash on July 8th.

Trevor was discharged from the hospital after a few hours on July 8th with minor head injuries and lung damage, while I remained there several more days for the doctors to monitor my condition. I was discharged two days ago with a neck-brace for my head and neck injuries, staples remaining in my head for the following several weeks and minor lung damage, but I am recovering. The past couple of days have been spent collecting the final belongings from the car wreckage and preparing for the drive back home to Georgia, taken care of by my mom.

Two Arizona news channels have run reports on Zach so far, Channel 5 and Channel 10, and these videos are available online. Services for Zach will be held on Saturday July 21st at 10am, at Central Christian Church, 933 N. Lindsay Road, Mesa AZ. Anyone wishing to remember Zach is welcome—the rest of the Booher family would love to see all of the people who were changed and inspired by Zach in his lifetime.

Lastly, I just want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for all of the support that has been shown to us since the accident. I believe I can speak for the Booher family as well when I say that we have been absolutely overwhelmed by your show of love for us. I wish there were a way for me to adequately show how grateful I am, but just know that the long and dark days since the accident have been made infinitely brighter by every message, every text, every phone call. Special thanks goes out to all of the bands and our friends with the Warped Tour who have been collecting donations for the Booher family (we are currently working on a way for everyone else to give donations); we miss and love you, and are so thankful for the rush of help you have given us since this happened. And to everyone else—I have never been more thankful for every single person in my life.

My love and deepest thanks go out to all of you.

Steven

Posted today by Zach’s mom:

“We’ve received many requests for making donations to honor Zach’s name. We believe the best way to honor Zach is by establishing a music scholarship in his name at ASU. If you’d like to donate, please personal message me for the account details. We’re not allowed to post the account on the internet per bank rules. Thanks again for your prayers during this sad time.
-Joanna Booher”

Please feel free to message me here on the While We’re Up Facebook page or on my personal page (Steven Rouk) as well, as I also have the account details, and I’m sure the Boohers could use whatever small relief from things they can get.

If you know of others who would like the account information in order to donate, please feel free to share it with them privately. Also, please share this post with others so that everyone who wanted to donate can know how.

Love, as always,

Steven

♥