Willie Spence, the runner up for American Idol season 19, was killed in a car accident in Tennessee, officials said Wednesday. He was 23.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol reported that Spence was the driver of a vehicle that left the eastbound lanes of Interstate 24 and slammed into the rear of a tractor-trailer truck stopped on the shoulder at about 4 p.m. Tuesday about 27 miles northwest of Chattanooga.

"We are devastated about the passing of our beloved American Idol family member, Willie Spence," American Idol posted on its Instagram account.

"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," it added.

The driver of the tractor-trailer Raymond Kresl, 68, was not injured. Spence was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, according to the accident report.

Spence became highly recognized from a 2017 video of him singing "Diamonds" by Rihanna. This led to an appearance on Steve Harvey's daytime talk show.

He then auditioned for American Idol and was chosen to compete in the 2021 season.

Spence was born in West Palm Beach, Fla. but relocated to Dunwoody, Ga. as a child with his family.