American Idol Season 19 runner-up Willie Spence passed away on Tuesday after sustaining severe injuries in a car crash in Tennessee.
According to FOX 31, the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the news. The crash took place 25 miles east of Chattanooga, Tennessee, in Jasper.
Spence, 23, was driving his Jeep Cherokee when he reportedly ran off the road and hit the back of a parked tractor-trailer on I-24. The talented singer was taken to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries. The tractor-trailer driver was not injured.
Hours before his death, Spence posted a video of himself on Instagram, singing the moving gospel song “Lord you are my hiding place.”??
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??? (@williespenceofficial)Fans and followers left their condolences on the 23-year-old man’s page.
Heather Russell wrote, “Can’t believe you’re gone. You’re now with God, though, and I’m sending you all the love in my heart, beautiful Willie.
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“I’m messed up rn… man I cannot believe this … you were too pure to be here amongst all this darkness. See you in heaven, Willie R.I.P. ????,” Michael Anthony expressed.
Actress AJ Johnson also expressed her condolences, “I’m speechless, my friend. Grateful and honored that you and God saw me worthy. A king of kings. ????”
American Idol judge Lionel Richie expressed his condolences upon finding out that Spence had passed.
“Your light will always shine in this world. We were so blessed to get a chance to see you shine. My thoughts and prayers are with Willie’s family. Rest well, my friend ?”
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Fellow judge Luke Bryan posted a video of the fallen singer in his Instagram stories, writing that he lit up every room he walked into.
Singer Katy Perry shared his audition video in her stories.
Spence’s family member also posted news of his death on Facebook on Tuesday night.
“Good evening, everyone. We appreciate everybody’s prayers and concerns, but as the family of Willie Spence, we are asking that you all please respect our privacy. Please respect our wishes, and I wish us right now is that you just continue to pray for us. Continue to keep us in your prayers, [keep us] in your thoughts, but please, we are asking please do not post information that you do not know, so we are asking again. I am reiterating. If you do not know, please do not post. Thank you.”
Our prayers go out to Spence’s relatives and his American Idol family.
