SACRAMENTO, CA — J. Cole called off a concert in Sacramento after a member of his touring crew died in a trucking crash on Interstate 5 the same morning he was set to perform. Golden 1 Center said the show planned for Thursday night, Aug. 27, was canceled after the fatal wreck.
The arena said in a statement shared on Facebook that the performance was scrapped because of “the tragic passing of a member of the touring crew in a trucking accident this morning.” Live Nation also shared the message. Ticketmaster said refunds would be issued automatically for customers who bought through its system.
Fatal crash on Interstate 5 involved a truck carrying tour equipment
The collision happened just after 6:05 a.m. local time on Interstate 5 in Yolo County, between the Zamora and Dufour areas northwest of Woodland, according to KCRA, citing the California Highway Patrol. The truck was carrying equipment for J. Cole’s The Fall-Off World Tour.
Local outlets reported that the big rig overturned and that no other vehicles were involved. The Sacramento Bee reported that the driver was the only person in the truck. The crash scene remained under investigation after the early morning wreck disrupted the tour’s travel plans.
Authorities identified the driver as Jarlath Parkinson, 66, of South Carolina
The Yolo County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Jarlath Parkinson, 66, of South Carolina, according to local reporting. His death left the crew and concert staff dealing with the loss just hours before the Sacramento performance was due to begin.
California Highway Patrol Sgt. David Barker said the driver drifted onto the right shoulder and lost control while trying to return to the roadway. Barker said it was not yet known whether distraction or falling asleep played a role. He said the solo occupant did not survive the crash.
Golden 1 Center and Live Nation promised automatic refunds
Fans who bought Sacramento tickets through Ticketmaster will be refunded automatically, according to Live Nation and Golden 1 Center. Other ticket holders were told to request refunds where they originally made their purchase.
The announcement came only hours before showtime, leaving Sacramento concertgoers with a sudden cancellation tied to a tragedy on the road. The arena’s statement also expressed sympathy for the crew member’s family and loved ones during what it described as an incredibly difficult time.
The Sacramento date was part of a large North American and international tour
The canceled concert was one stop on The Fall-Off World Tour, which is scheduled to include more than 40 performances between Aug. 29 and Dec. 12. The tour is set to finish in Johannesburg, South Africa, after dates across the United States and overseas.
J. Cole still had other California shows on the calendar after Sacramento, including concerts in Oakland on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 30. He was also scheduled to play Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena on Sept. 1 and Intuit Dome in Inglewood on Sept. 3.
Cole had been set to open the run at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento
The Sacramento appearance was slated for Golden 1 Center, one of the first California dates on the tour’s schedule. The rapper, 41, was supposed to take the stage Thursday evening before the crash changed the day’s plans.
Reps for J. Cole did not immediately respond to requests for comment. For now, the focus remains on the fatal highway crash, the loss of a crew member, and the logistics of refunding fans who expected to see the show.