Country star Luke Combs pays funeral for 3 friends who died near Michigan Music Festival

Country singer Luc Combs pays funeral expenses for three young men who saw him perform at a Michigan music festival before they death from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning at a nearby campsite, relatives said.

“For him to reach out and do that, I don’t even have the words. I wish I could give him a hug,” said Meeka Sova, mother of Kole Sova.

Sova, 19, William “Richie” Mays Jr., 20, and Dawson Brown, 20, were found dead in a trailer on July 17. Police said the friends were exposed to emissions from a portable generator too close to their camper van. .

“Their character, their integrity, high quality children. the epitome of what you would expect from a student-athlete here at Michigan Center and their smiles. “https://t.co/G8OKf9DsJ5

– WLNS Newsroom (@WLNS) July 19, 2021

Two other men, Rayfield Johnson and Kurtis Stitt, both 20, were in critical condition when they were hospitalized. A Facebook group posting updates to Stitt said he was “able to follow orders and answer questions via thumbs up and down, move his limbs and smile” earlier this week .

Mays’ mother Amy Satterthwaite recalled how she held her son’s hand the night before when Combs appeared at the Faster Horses Festival, a weekend show at Michigan International Speedway.

“It was the last time we were with our boys,” Satterthwaite said.

Combs did not comment on the donation, spokeswoman Asha Goodman told CBS affiliate WLNS-TV.

In high school, Sova, Mays and Brown were all chosen as the captains of the football team by their classmates, WLNS-TV reported. Hundreds of people came to a candlelight vigil Monday night at Michigan Center High School to remember the three graduates.

“The older boys have mentored the younger boys and it’s like a big family and the parents know each other,” Rae Fruth told the station. “It’s a tragedy of such magnitude that I don’t think there is anyone at Michigan Center who hasn’t been touched by any of these boys or has no connection with some of them. members of their family in one way or another. “

A GoFundMe site set up by Michigan Center Athletic Boosters raised more than $ 63,000 for families on Friday afternoon.

“Our hearts are broken for families, friends and loved ones,” festival organizers said on Facebook.