Community to Rally Around Kali Smart With August 23rd Benefit in Silsbee
- Rita Shipp
- Aug 2
- 2 min read
The community is coming together in support of 30-year-old Kali Smart, the sole survivor of a devastating UTV crash that claimed the lives of four of her closest family members late last month.
The accident occurred around 11:35 p.m. on Friday, July 25, on FM 92 near Jim Burns Road. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, a UTV carrying five people was struck after entering the roadway, killing four of the occupants. Kali’s husband, Triston “Hunter” Smart, 26, along with Melissa Smart, 33, Otis Smart, 46, and Terry Wade Smart, 63, were all pronounced dead at the scene.
Kali, a beloved Silsbee native known for her heart, humor, and commitment to those around her, sustained life-threatening injuries and remains in critical condition at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston. She is currently in the ICU fighting for her life, surrounded by loved ones as she begins a long and painful journey toward healing — both physically and emotionally.
To show support and help cover ongoing medical expenses, a benefit fundraiser has been planned for Saturday, August 23, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at The Honky Tonk in Silsbee, located at 2389 Highway 96 North.
The community event will feature:
Live Music
Lunch Plates for Purchase
Silent Auction
Live Auction (starting at 3:00 p.m.)
Organizers say the event is not just about raising funds, but standing with a young woman who’s given so much to her hometown and now needs her village more than ever.
“Kali has always been the kind of person who lights up a room,” said one family friend. “She’s goofy, kind, compassionate, and full of life. What she’s going through is unimaginable, and we want to show up for her the way she has always shown up for others.”
A GoFundMe campaign, titled “Honoring Hunter, Healing Kali,” has also been launched to help with travel costs, medical expenses, and ongoing care. Those wishing to donate or learn more can visit:
If you are interested in donating items for the auction or volunteering to support the event, please email KaliSmartBenefit@gmail.com.
As Kali continues to fight, organizers are asking for continued thoughts, prayers, and shares across social media to spread awareness.
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