The Roadhouse Ranglers Return to the Stage After Tragic Accident
Just days after a horrific accident that left band members and concert-goers injured, the Roadhouse Ranglers bravely took the stage at VFW Post 7968 in Apache Junction. Despite the trauma they endured, the band played a three-hour set, and the crowd welcomed them back with open arms.
The previous weekend, chaos had ensued at the Elks Lodge during a packed open mic night when a suspected drunk driver crashed into the building, injuring 30 people. Among the injured was Sam Chunn, a member of the Roadhouse Ranglers, who suffered a broken foot in the collision.
Recalling the terrifying moment, Chunn described hearing a loud crash and seeing the truck plow through the crowd at high speed. Miraculously, no lives were lost, but the impact sent debris flying and left several people, including Chunn, injured.
As Chunn tried to pick himself up, he realized his foot was fractured and could hear screams of panic around him. Despite his own injuries, his first thought was for his wife, who had been at the bar when the crash occurred. Thankfully, she was unharmed, and Chunn felt a wave of relief.
Being a local band, the Roadhouse Ranglers had a strong connection to the community, with Chunn recognizing many of the attendees that fateful night. One friend had narrowly escaped serious injury when the truck’s mirror caught her shoulder as it passed by.
Even more shockingly, Chunn revealed that he had known the accused drunk driver, Tom, for 30 years. Tom was arrested and faces numerous charges, including aggravated assault and DUI. Despite the chaos and injuries caused by Tom’s actions, Chunn expressed a sense of forgiveness and hoped for everyone’s recovery, including Tom’s.
As the Roadhouse Ranglers took the stage once again, their resilience and spirit were evident. The band members, including Chunn, showed incredible strength in the face of adversity, embodying the power of music to heal and unite a community.
