A bus carrying the road crew of multi-country music award winner, Josh Turner, recently spiraled off an embankment in Paso Robles, California near Highway 101, killing sound engineer David Turner and leaving seven other crew members hospitalized on Wednesday, Sept. 18. For those among Sonoma State Students who were positioned to attend the Josh Turner Concert at SOMO Village on Sept. 24, the event will not be postponed and will conclude SOMO Village’s concert season. All remaining September shows on Turner’s tour have been canceled.
The accident occurred within less than 30 minutes after Turner’s performance at Paso Robles’ Vina Robles Amphitheater. The bus apparently drifted off of Highway 46, landing at the bottom of the cliff. The cause of the accident was unknown and is still under investigation.
Following the concert on the day of the crash, the band and crew took off to head toward Sonoma County. Turner and his band members were in a separate bus following the crew members; they reportedly stopped when they noticed the bus fatally crashing and desperately ran to assist the deadly accident.
Josh Turner recently broke his silence last week, asking fans to “keep praying.” The singer writes on Facebook, “as I try to write this I don’t know what to say. It’s a struggle to put into words the devastation and grief that our road family is trying to process. We lost a beloved member of our team, David Turner,” Turner continues, “he was like a brother to so many in this industry and a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Please continue to keep David’s family in your prayers. All of our crew suffered significant injuries and many have long roads to recovery,” he concludes, “I would ask that you give them privacy during this time,” according to People.com.
The driver, Bradley Dratnol, was most recently identified and hospitalized in Fresno. The severity of Dratnol’s injuries are yet to be determined, as well as those of the six other individuals on the bus. According to the San Luis Obispo Tribuna, the severity of the injuries range from moderate to major. The others who sustained injuries: Carl Hardin, Justin Lambert, Richard Lazarus, James Mayo, John Dauphinee and Jeb Downing
David Turner was reportedly one out of the two individuals to be ejected from the bus; of no relation to singer Josh Turner, David Turner shared a long lasting bond with the Country and Gospel singer. David Turner had worked with Josh Turner since 2006 as a monitor engineer.
For anyone wishing to contribute, Turner’s management team has created a GoFundMe page for those affected by the tragic accident in hopes of raising funds for medical costs for the surviving crew as well as funeral arrangements. The link to the GoFundMe page can be found on Turner’s social media accounts.
Students who have purchased tickets for the concert at SOMO Village will receive a full refund from their designated ticket provider. Thoughts and prayers continue to pour out to Turner’s road team and those still undergoing a great deal of grief.