Fairmount Park Horsemen Rally Around Families After Accident
Horsemen at Fairmount Park are raising funds for two families after a fatal car crash in Hamilton County on Saturday evening.
Darrell Delong, 49, was driving on Anderson School Blacktop Road near McLeansboro, Ill. with five passengers when he lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle flipped several times, killing his wife Tammy Delong, 35, and Tammy's 16-year-old daughter Katelynn Fancher. Robert Parker, Lori Parker, and Diana Wright also died at the scene. Darrell Delong remains in "touch and go" condition. Two of the group were assistant starters, and all had been life-long racetrackers.
The Delongs left behind 11-year-old twin girls Andrea and Audrey, who are in the care of their grandmother, Cynda McGrew.
Backstretch workers, along with the Illinois Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, are collecting funds for the survivors, who are suddenly faced with unexpected funeral and medical expenses, on top of their losses.
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IHBPA executive director Lanny Brooks is working to raise money for funerals for three of the accident victims (two had insurance). The IHBPA kickstarted a fund with $4,500 and is asking the public to help.
"It was a terrible tragedy," said Brooks, who noted how quickly those at Fairmount have come to the family's aid. "People, without hesitation have come together and started walking around from barn to barn and collecting money."
The Delong-Parker Memorial Fund has been established at Regions Bank in Collinsville, Ill. Donations may be mailed to 9301 Collinsville Road, Collinsville, Ill. 62234.
