What was meant to be a night of music and joy became a heartbreaking tragedy for 19-year-old Alex Moffett of Erie, Colorado. She and her family were on their way to see Chris Stapleton’s All-American Road Show concert in Kansas City when their car was struck by another vehicle. The crash claimed the lives of Alex’s father, Derek Moffett (55), her younger sister, Catherine (16), and her grandmother, Patricia Moffett (83).
Alex and Catherine were airlifted to Kansas City’s Research Medical Center. Despite the doctors’ best efforts, Catherine did not survive. Alex, however, pulled through — but not without life-threatening injuries. She suffered a punctured lung, multiple pelvic and rib fractures, a broken arm, wrist, and facial bones. In the weeks that followed, she underwent facial reconstruction, an elbow replacement, and wrist surgery as she began a long road toward recovery.
Her family’s trip had been meant as a special occasion — a chance to visit their grandmother’s hometown of Warrensburg before heading to Stapleton’s concert together. The devastating loss turned what should have been a night of music into a moment of grief that changed Alex’s life forever.
When Alex’s doctors learned why the family had been traveling that day, they shared her story with Chris Stapleton’s team. Moved by the tragedy, Stapleton and his wife, Morgane, arranged a surprise hospital visit for Alex on Father’s Day.
Alex told FOX 4 Kansas City that she had been expecting only a short FaceTime call with the country star. Instead, she was stunned when Stapleton himself walked through her hospital door. “Like a minute later, we got a knock on my door and they just came in,” she recalled.
In what became an unforgettable moment of healing, Stapleton sat with Alex and sang Traveller — the deeply personal song he wrote after the death of his own father. For Alex, who had just lost her own dad and sister, the gesture was nothing short of profound.
Through tears, Alex shared how difficult the months ahead will be. “Every time I look at a picture of my sister, my heart just stops for a minute,” she said. “My dad was my best friend ever. He was the best person.”
She also spoke about her complicated feelings toward the 16-year-old driver who fell asleep at the wheel and survived. “Obviously he didn’t mean to kill three people, but he took my entire family from me,” Alex said softly. “Part of me wants his life to be over, and the other part of me wants him to go on and live a really good life and make something of it — to make a difference in the world.”
For Alex, the road to healing is long. But thanks to the kindness of Chris Stapleton and the love of her community, she is not walking it alone. In that hospital room, surrounded by music and memory, Alex was reminded that even in the darkest moments, there can still be grace, connection, and a reason to keep going.
