Dallas Taylor, a founding member of Tampa hardcore outfit Underoath and current member of Alabama's Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, is unconscious after an ATV accident in Ocala, Florida yesterday (via Alternative Press).
The 36-year-old was visiting his family and was airlifted to the hospital where he is in intensive care.
Lakeland songwriter Eric Collins, became acquainted with Taylor back when they were both playing in similar scenes: Collins in Denison Marrs and Taylor in Underoath. He remembers bumping into Taylor at shows and encouraging each other along the way.
"A close mutual friend texted me last night informing me of the accident & asking for prayer," Collins told CL. "I was driving home from practice, so I pulled over & spent a couple of focused minutes praying for Dallas' recovery & health."
The Underoath camp was also made aware of the accident last night and is figuring out the best way to help. Guitarist Tim McTague, who played on 2002's The Changing Of Times with Taylor, told CL that the band will update fans as soon as they know how they'll help the family.
For now, there is one direct way for the community to help even more.
A GoFundMe page has been set up by Brad Lehman with the hopes of raising $75,000 to help with Taylor's medical expenses.
"Although we don't currently know the magnitude of Dallas' injuries, we do know they are extensive. He will be out of work and in the hospital for an unspecified amount of time," Lehman wrote. "He will have a long painful recovery ahead of him and massive pile of medical bills. If Dallas has touched your life in some way and you want to help, here's your chance."
UPDATE (4:00 p.m. EDT) From Brad Lehman: "I set up the GoFundMe because I have known Dallas for 10 + years. We played in Maylene and the Sons of Disaster together for six of those years. Given my position and the situation, I felt like it was necessary to give the community a place to donate if they wanted to. While details are limited we do know the recovery is going to be long, painful, and expensive. At least we can help with one of those."
CL has reached out to Lehman for comment. As if 12:30 p.m. EDT, over 60 people have pitched in to raise close to $2,000, and Taylor's brother Rhett has posted an update on Facebook saying that his brother was still unconscious.
"They said he'll be in the hospital for quite a while," Rhett wrote. "He has tons of broken stuff, lacerations, internal bleeding and head injuries though.”
