“American Idol” finalist, Willie Spence dead at 23

At the age of 23, former runner up of American Idol’s Willie Spence died Tuesday in a car crash.

The season 19 runner up was driving his Jeep Cherokee east along Interstate 24 in Marion County, Georgia around 4 p.m. Tuesday when it left the roadway and hit the back of a tractor-trailer that had pulled off onto the shoulder.

Spence, who was from Dunwoody, Georgia, was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

Since the release of the tragic news American Idol released a statement sending their condolences. 

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The driver of the truck was not injured. No charges have been filed in the crash.

Luke Bryan, who is a judge on “American Idol,” wrote a message paying tribute to him via Twitter sincerely saying “He will truly be missed.”

Fellow judge Katy Perry also expressed how hurt she was by writing, “I love you Willie… purest soul. Sing with the angels my darling ♥️✨” as well as paid tribute with an “American Idol” video of Spence singing via Instagram story.

The Georgia native will truly be missed.

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