Update: Josh Turner Bus Fatality Identified As Longtime Sound Engineer David Turner

Capt. Adan Orozco/Cal Fire via AP – Josh Turner bus crash
A tour bus carrying members of Josh Turner’s crew crashed late Sept. 18 near Shandon, Calif., after a show at Vina Robles Amphitheater in Paso Robles.

A tour bus carrying members of the road crew for country singer Josh Turner plunged off a highway embankment near the central California town of Shandon, killing the band’s sound engineer, David Turner (no relation), and injuring seven others, authorities said Sept. 19.

Turner and his band were not on the bus when it crashed late Sept. 18 in San Luis Obispo County, the California Highway Patrol said. However, members of his crew, including David Turner, were. 

According to his LinkedIn profile, David Turner worked with Josh Turner since 2006 and over the course of his career also worked with Patty Loveless, Trick Pony, The Wilkinsons and Restless Heart and, very early in his career, Tammy Wynette and Eddie Rabbitt.

Universal Music Group Nashville announced later in the day that Josh Turner has postponed the remainder of his September tour dates following the deadly crash. “Josh Tuner and his road family have suffered a devastating loss,” the statement reads. “Please keep the crew, band and Josh in your thoughts and prayers.”

The crash followed a concert by Turner at Vina Robles Amphitheatre in nearby Paso Robles. The band’s next scheduled show was to be at Seven Feathers Casino Resort in Canyonville, Ore. The other September shows remaining on the calendar are at SOMO Village in Rohnert Park, Calif.; Mary Stuart Rogers Theatre, Modesto, Calif.; and Harrah’s Phoenix Ak-Chin Casino in Maricopa, Ariz.

His first date after that is Oct. 9 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

The bus, which was towing an equipment trailer, left the road for unknown reasons then continued along a dirt sholder before smashing through a fance and plunging 50 feet off an embankment, the California Highway Patrol said. Two people, including David Turner, were ejected from the bus. The driver, identified as Bradley Dratnol, age 39, was also injured and taken to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno, Calif. Six other passengers were reportedly injured.

The cause of the crash off the 50-foot (15-meter) cliff is under investigation, the San Luis Obispo Tribune reported.

Turner, 41, is known for country and gospel hits including “Your Man” and “Would You Go with Me.” His latest album “I Serve a Savior” was released in 2018.