Rapper J. Cole's scheduled concert in Sacramento on Thursday has been canceled following the death of a touring crew member in a trucking accident. The accident occurred Thursday morning on southbound Interstate 5 near Woodland, California.
The crew member was driving a big rig transporting equipment for Cole's show when the vehicle overturned around 6:00 AM, according to authorities. No other individuals were in the truck at the time. The Golden 1 Center, the venue for the concert, confirmed the cancellation in a statement shared via Instagram, expressing condolences to the crew member's family and loved ones.
The big rig had been carrying gear from the rapper's previous tour stop in Seattle on Tuesday. Authorities stated the driver was freed from the wreckage, and despite efforts including a dispatched helicopter, the driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The identity of the driver has not yet been released.
The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash. Sergeant David Barker indicated that possibilities such as driver distraction or fatigue are being considered, but the exact reason for the truck veering off the road remains undetermined.
J. Cole's current tour supports his seventh studio album, "The Fall-Off," released in February. This tour marks his first solo headlining tour in five years. The rapper, born Jermaine Lamarr Cole, first gained prominence with his 2007 mixtape "The Come Up." He is a two-time Grammy Award winner.
Cole's next scheduled performances are in Oakland, California, on Saturday and Sunday, followed by shows in Los Angeles on Tuesday, September 1, and Thursday, September 3. It is currently unclear if these upcoming dates will be affected by the incident.