Drummer Joshua “Nassaru” Ward Among Four Killed in New Years Eve Motor Vehicle Accident
The North Carolina metal scene sadly lost one of its own as the rest of us celebrated the new year this past Tuesday night, as drummer and vocalist Joshua “Nassaru” Ward was among four individuals killed in a drunk driving accident. He was most known for his work with death metal outfit Voraath.
According to reports from local NBC news affiliate WYFF, the accident took place just after 9 p.m. when the vehicle Ward was in was struck backing out of a driveway. The accident also claimed the lives of Ward’s significant other, as well as two additional individuals Audrey Marie Ross and Amanda Lynn Leroux. All four were in the same vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.
South Carolina Highway Patrol said the man driving the other vehicle, Nicholas Shane Meeks, 31, only sustained minor injuries in the wake of the accident. He was arrested and booked into the Greenville County Detention Center after being charged with four counts of felony DUI involving death. If convicted, this would be his second DUI since March. He was also charged for driving with a suspended license.
In the wake of this unimaginable loss, a GoFundMe was launched to help cover Ward’s funeral costs. The page’s description, written by friend Travis Colvard, is as follows:
“Our close friend and family member, Josh Ward, passed away last night in a traffic accident. Josh dedicated his life to the music he created, the martial arts he practiced and instilled into everyone who had the privilege of training with him, and last but not least his son, Kai.
“We are all devastated by this loss and were not prepared for the high cost of a funeral service. We want to give Josh the memorial he deserves, to honor his memory and say our last goodbyes.
“I am currently asking for donations to help cover the cost of Josh’s funeral. All donations would go to the memorial and funeral. All remaining will be gifted to his son, Kai.”
We at MetalSucks wish to extend our deepest condolences to those directly affected by this completely avoidable loss. Our thoughts are with Ward’s loved ones, as well as those left behind by the tragic loss of the other three individuals taken in that accident.
