Buckcherry have confirmed that all band members and touring crew are safe after their tour bus was involved in a fatal multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 26 in South Carolina.
by Paul Cashmere
Buckcherry’s tour bus was involved in a multi-vehicle accident on I-26 in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, at approximately 2:00am on Friday, August 21, while the band was travelling on its current US tour. All members of Buckcherry and their touring crew were reported safe and unharmed. Authorities confirmed that a person involved in a collision ahead of the bus died. The band’s scheduled performance at the Culture Room in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was expected to proceed as planned.
The incident occurred on I-26 eastbound near mile marker 31. South Carolina authorities responded to a multi-vehicle crash and eastbound lanes were closed for several hours. Information released by authorities indicates that a person involved in an earlier collision had exited their vehicle and was subsequently struck in the roadway. The person died at the scene. The identity of the deceased had not been publicly released in the information available.
Buckcherry issued the following statement:
At approximately 2:00 AM Friday morning, Buckcherry’s tour bus was involved in a multi-vehicle accident on I-26 in Spartanburg County, South Carolina.
We are extremely grateful to report that all members of Buckcherry and our touring crew are safe and unharmed.
Tragically, authorities have confirmed that the collision that occurred ahead of our bus resulted in a fatality. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the family and loved ones of the person who lost their life.
Buckcherry’s scheduled performance tomorrow at the Culture Room in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is expected to proceed as planned.
We sincerely appreciate everyone who has reached out with concern and support.
The crash occurred as Buckcherry were continuing their touring schedule in support of their 2025 album Roar Like Thunder. The current line-up comprises vocalist Josh Todd, guitarist Stevie Dacanay, guitarist Billy Rowe, bassist Kelly LeMieux and drummer Francis Ruiz.
The accident places the realities of extensive touring into sharp focus. For established rock acts, interstate travel between venues can involve thousands of kilometres on the road each year, with musicians, crew and drivers moving overnight between performances. In this case, Buckcherry’s statement makes clear that the bus was involved in a collision in which the fatal incident occurred ahead of their vehicle, rather than reporting injuries among the band or crew.
Roar Like Thunder is Buckcherry’s 11th studio album and followed Vol. 10, released in 2023. The album was recorded at Sienna Studios in Nashville and produced by Marti Frederiksen, who also worked on Vol. 10 and its predecessor Hellbound. The record contains 10 tracks written by Josh Todd, Stevie D and Frederiksen.
Buckcherry’s catalogue dates back to their self-titled 1999 debut, which established the Los Angeles band within the late 1990s hard rock scene. Their commercial breakthrough came with 2005’s 15, an album that produced the major singles “Crazy Bitch” and “Sorry”. The band later marked the album’s 20th anniversary with a deluxe edition released in January 2025, including the original album, additional recordings and newly recorded acoustic performances.
The band has maintained an unusually consistent touring presence across its career. Ahead of Roar Like Thunder, Buckcherry toured extensively behind Hellbound and Vol. 10, including a 2025 co-headline run with Steel Panther across the United States and Canada. The group’s official touring history also records substantial international activity, including Australian performances in 2024.
The South Carolina crash does not appear to have resulted in injuries to Buckcherry or their touring personnel, according to the band’s statement. The immediate circumstances surrounding the fatality remain a matter for authorities. Buckcherry’s next scheduled performance was listed to continue as planned, while the band acknowledged the person who lost their life and extended condolences to their family and loved ones.
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