‘American Idol’ runner-up Willie Spence dead at 23 after car accident

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Willie Spence’s family is speaking out following his tragic death.

"American Idol" judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie honored runner-up Willie Spence on social media after the singer died at the age of 23. Spence was killed in a car crash on Tuesday afternoon in Jasper, Tennessee, after he drove his SUV off a highway and collided with the back of a parked tractor-trailer. "I love you Willie … purest soul.

American Idol finalist Willie Spence posted a heartbreaking video of him belting out a Christian song in his parked car hours before he died in a horror crash. The 23-year-old shared now chilling footage of him singing 'You Are My Hiding Place' before he slammed his 2019 Jeep Cherokee into a parked semitruck in Marion County, Tennessee.The talented singer kept his eyes closed as he tilted his head back and blared out the emotional anthem from earlier yesterday.It came just hours before his car left the road and slammed into the back of the parked truck on the side of Interstate 24.He had earlier suffered a flat tire while leaving the state on his way home to Atlanta, Georgia but got it fixed.The 68-year-old driver of the tractor trailer was pulled over in the emergency lane of the highway and was uninjured.American Idol officials acknowledged their beloved star on social media claiming they are 'devastated' while sharing a photo of Spence performing on stage during season 19. 'We are devastated about the passing of our beloved American Idol family member, Willie Spence. He was a true talent who lit up every room and will be deeply missed.

'American Idol' runner-up Willie Spence has died. The 23-year-old singer - who finished behind Chayce Beckham in last year's 19th season of the reality show - passed away after being involved in a car accident in Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday (11. 10.

 judges are paying tribute to Willie Spence. The season 19 runner-up recently died at the age of 23. According to local media outlet Douglas Now, which is located in Spence's hometown of Douglas, Georgia, the singer died from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

killed the “American Idol” star.Spence’s family held their first press conference outside of his grandma’s house in Florida and told reporters how heartbroken they were at his passing, local ABC outlet WLOS reported.“Willie was our gentle giant. He had such a soft demeanor but a very, very powerful voice. When he opened his mouth and lifted the Lord in song, many would just stop in their tracks to listen to him,” said Spence’s cousin Sabrina Cooper.“Now Willie is in heaven, singing the lead in the heaven’s choir.” According to a Tennessee State Trooper, the Jeep that Spence was driving went off the road and crashed into the back of a tractor-trailer which was stopped on the road’s shoulder.

Willie Spence, a runner-up of last year's American Idol, has died in a car crash at the age of 23. The singer's Jeep reportedly "left the roadway" and collided with the back of a tractor-trailer that was stopped on the hard shoulder near Chattanooga, Tennessee.

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shows rising star Willie Spence singing just hours before he was fatally killed in a car accident.In one of Spence’s final posts to Instagram — posted a day ago — he is belting out the Christian song “You Are My Hiding Place” while he sits in his parked car.Spence looks emotional as he soulfully sings the song with his eyes closed.The 23-year-old was killed when his car slammed into the back of a parked trailer that was pulled over in the emergency lane on the side of Interstate 24 in Tennessee on Tuesday afternoon.Spence was the runner up on Season 19 of “American Idol,” which aired last year, with Chayce Beckham taking the top spot.Tributes for the young singer have flooded social media, with friends remembering him as a “kind soul” and “true talent.”His “American Idol” mentor Katharine McPhee Foster posted a series of Instagram Stories about the tragedy.“I received very tragic news tonight,” she wrote in an Instagram Story, alongside a clip from “Idol.”“Sweet @williespenceofficial passed away in a car accident. Only 23 years old,” she wrote.

Luke Bryan is mourning the sudden and tragic death of former American Idol runner-up Willie Spence, as is the American Idol community.MORE: Luke Bryan shares personal family news that may disrupt his careerThe 23-year-old's death was first reported by TMZ on 12 October, citing a car accident on 11 October as the cause of death. He participated on American Idol in 2021.The country singer was one of the judges that oversaw the late singer's success on the singing competition show, alongside Katy Perry and Lionel Richie.WATCH: Luke Bryan shares helpful farming tip with fansMORE: Luke Bryan admits to difficulties with balancing work and his family lifeLuke took to Instagram to pay tribute to the young talent, sharing a clip the official American Idol page shared of his audition in light of his death.He wrote: "Willie really did light up every room he walked into.

American Idol finalist Willie Spence posted a heartbreaking video of him belting out a Christian song in his parked car hours before he died in a horror crash. The 23-year-old shared now chilling footage of him singing 'You Are My Hiding Place' before he slammed his 2019 Jeep Cherokee into a parked semitruck in Marion County, Tennessee.The talented singer kept his eyes closed as he tilted his head back and blared out the emotional anthem from earlier yesterday.It came just hours before his car left the road and slammed into the back of the parked truck on the side of Interstate 24.He had earlier suffered a flat tire while leaving the state on his way home to Atlanta, Georgia but got it fixed.The 68-year-old driver of the tractor trailer was pulled over in the emergency lane of the highway and was uninjured.American Idol officials acknowledged their beloved star on social media claiming they are 'devastated' while sharing a photo of Spence performing on stage during season 19. 'We are devastated about the passing of our beloved American Idol family member, Willie Spence. He was a true talent who lit up every room and will be deeply missed.

Ethan Shanfeld Willie Spence, who came in second place in “American Idol” Season 19, has died in a car crash. He was 23. Spence was driving from Tennessee to his home in Atlanta when he crashed into a semi-truck that was parked on the side of the road. A post on the “American Idol” Instagram reads, “We are devastated about the passing of our beloved ‘American Idol’ family member, Willie Spence. He was a true talent who lit up every room he entered and will be deeply missed. We send our condolences to his loved ones.” The post features a video of Spence singing Rihanna’s “Diamonds” from his “American Idol” audition. Judges Lionel Ritchie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan praised Spence’s performance, with Bryan saying, “You are a special, special human being. I did not want it to end.”

American Idol runner-up Willie Spence has tragically died aged 23. The talented singer died following a car accident on Tuesday, according to a preliminary report from the Tennessee Highway Patrol.MORE: Michael Strahan reveals what he really thinks of co-star George StephanopoulosWillie was a runner-up to Chayce Beckham in the 2021 series of the hit program.

Willie Spence has passed away.

 season 19 runner-up, has died at the age of 23. According to local media outlet Douglas Now, which is located in Spence's hometown of Douglas, Georgia, the singer died following an automobile accident.  “DouglasNow has learned that Douglas native and  season 19 runner-up Willie Spence, 23, has passed away due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Tennessee,” the news outlet reported.

Willie Spence, the American Idol runner-up in the 2021 Season 19 of the competition series, died Tuesday from injuries sustained in a car accident in Tennessee. He was 23.

 season 19 runner-up, has died at the age of 23. According to local media outlet Douglas Now, which is located in Spence's hometown of Douglas, Georgia, the singer died following an automobile accident.  “DouglasNow has learned that Douglas native and  season 19 runner-up Willie Spence, 23, has passed away due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Tennessee,” the news outlet reported.

READ MORE: Jamal Edwards 'had no money for family in will after death despite earning £8million'She wrote: "I received very tragic news tonight. Sweet @williespenceofficial passed away in a car accident.