JASPER, Tenn. (AP) 鈥� A finalist on 鈥淎merican Idol鈥� has died in a vehicle crash in Tennessee.
Willie Spence, 23, died Tuesday after hitting the rear of a tractor-trailer that was stopped on the shoulder of Interstate 24 East near Chattanooga, according to news outlets, which cited a Tennessee Highway Patrol report.
Both drivers were wearing seatbelts, and the truck driver wasn't injured, the crash report said.
Spence, who was from Georgia, finished in second place on season 19 of 鈥淎merican Idol" last year.
The singing competition show on social media, saying Spence 鈥渨as a true talent who lit up every room he entered.鈥�
We are devastated about the passing of our beloved American Idol family member, Willie Spence," the statement reads. 鈥淲e send our condolences to his loved ones.鈥�
Singer Luke Bryan, a judge on the show, said Spence 鈥渃ould change the mood instantly when he started singing.鈥�
鈥淗e will truly be missed,鈥� Bryan
The Associated Press
