The Chrisley family suffered an unimaginable tragedy with the loss of their beloved daughter, Savannah Chrisley. Savannah was only 16 years old when she unexpectedly passed away in a car accident in May 2020. Her death came as a shock to the whole family and millions of fans of the popular USA Network reality show “Chrisley Knows Best.”
Savannah was returning home from a late night at a friend’s graduation party when her vehicle was hit head-on by a drunk driver on a highway just outside of Nashville, Tennessee. She was pronounced dead at the scene due to the severity of her injuries. Todd and Julie Chrisley were devastated by the news of losing their youngest child in such a tragic accident.
The Chrisley family is known for their close bond and silly antics on their reality show, so fans all over mourned Savannah’s passing. Here is a look back at Savannah’s life and the impact of her death on her family and the TV series.
Savannah’s Life and Personality
Savannah was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1996 and grew up in Nashville. She was Todd and Julie’s youngest child, and the couple spoiled her as the “baby” of the family.
Savannah has appeared on Chrisley Knows Best since it first aired in 2014, showcasing her fun and outgoing personality. Some of her most memorable moments included:
- Constantly teasing and bickering with her brother Chase in a sibling rivalry fashion
- Obsessing over boy bands and boyband members
- Going through phases of different hobbies like dancing, singing, modeling, etc
- Struggling in school but ultimately graduating high school
- Enjoying shopping sprees and spa days with her mom
- Helping plan family events and vacations
Savannah had a substantial social media presence with over 1 million Instagram followers. She was actively pursuing a career in modeling, singing, and influencing. Her passionate fans loved her down-to-earth nature and ability to find humor even in stressful situations.
Todd and Julie have said Savannah was full of love and cared deeply about her family and friends. She brought constant laughter and light into their home. Her zest for life was an inspiration for many.
The Accident and Aftermath
On the night of May 29th, 2020, Savannah was headed home after hanging out with friends to celebrate a high school graduation. While driving down a well-lit highway just outside of Nashville, a pickup truck suddenly hit her vehicle head-on.
The driver of the other vehicle, Nicholas Surma, was intoxicated with a blood alcohol level three times over the legal limit. He crossed over into Savannah’s lane, causing the fatal collision. She was just shy of her 24th birthday.
When EMTs arrived on the scene, Savannah was unresponsive and showed no signs of life. She was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead due to the severity of internal injuries from the crash.
Nicholas Surma survived the accident with only minor injuries. He was arrested and later charged with vehicular homicide by intoxication and reckless driving. In February 2021, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 8-15 years in prison.
The Chrisley family was left reeling from Savannah’s sudden death. Todd posted an emotional tribute on Instagram, saying he didn’t know how to go on without his little girl. Julie went into deep mourning, canceling her partnership with a clothing line. Savannah’s brothers Chase and Kyle were also beside themselves with grief.
Friends organized fundraisers and memorials in Savannah’s honor. Her siblings have gotten tattoos dedicated to her memory. Even a year later, the family still struggles with the immense loss daily. Savannah’s bright spirit is deeply missed by all who know her compassionate soul.
Impact on Chrisley Knows Best
Naturally, Savannah’s death also impacted the hit USA Network series that had been chronicling the family’s lives for years.
Here are some of the critical ways her passing affected chrisley knows best daughter dies
- Season 8 premiered in late 2020 with a tribute episode honoring Savannah and showing home videos of her growing up
- The season focused on the family grieving together and trying to find a new normal without Savannah
- Todd shared in interviews it was tough to continue filming so soon after the tragedy
- Future seasons address Savannah’s memory and keep her spirit alive through family stories
- Cast and crew have said the loss of their “little sister” Savannah is still profoundly felt on set
- Ratings for the show increased as viewers wanted to support the Chrisleys through difficult times
- Filming now includes more somber moments of remembrance compared to past lighthearted episodes
- Savannah’s close friend and assistant Evie shares memories of her to keep her legacy alive for fans
While the show aims to bring its signature humor still, it’s clear Savannah’s void can never truly be filled within the family or the series. Her role on the show made her a beloved fan favorite remembered forever.
The family continues charity work in Savannah’s name through The Savannah Fund to support other victims of drunk driving accidents. They hope sharing their story prevents even one family from enduring such devastating loss. Though deeply scarred, the Chrisleys find strength in consoling others suffering similar heartbreaks.
Conclusion
At just 21 years old, Savannah Chrisley had her whole life ahead of her and much more to offer the world. Her zest for life and care for others left an imprint on all who knew her compassionate soul.
The loss is still unbearably painful over a year later for her family and fans of Chrisley Knows Best. While drunk driving took Savannah much too soon, her legacy and memory lives on.
The Chrisleys have turned their grief into action, raising awareness against intoxicated driving. They strive to honor Savannah’s light and spirit daily. Though senseless tragedy stole her from this world, Savannah’s loving impact is eternal and continues shaping lives for the better. Her memory as a daughter, sister, and friend will never fade.
