Ex-drummer for popular metal band from Ohio dies in San Diego plane crash

Mostly Sunny
May 23, 2025

LATEST NEWS

Ex-drummer for popular metal band from Ohio dies in San Diego plane crash

SAN DIEGO, California — Drummer Daniel Williams, who was one of the founding members of metal band Devil Wears Prada, was one of six people killed Thursday when a private jet crashed into a neighborhood in San Diego.

Music Agent Dave Shapiro, co-founder of Sound Talent Group, and two employees also were killed, the agency said in a statement. Shapiro reportedly owned the plane and was the pilot.

Devil Wears Prada was formed in Dayton, Ohio, in 2005. Current members of the band posted a tribute to Williams on social media after learning of his death.

“No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever,” the post says. Williams left the band in 2016.

A statement from the Federal Aviation Administration says the plane clipped a power line at about 4 a.m. in foggy conditions, Billboard reports. More than 100 people had to be evacuated because of fires to homes and cars caused by the crash. Eight people on the ground were injured, reports say.

“I can’t quite put words to describe what the scene looks like, but with the jet fuel going down the street, and everything on fire all at once, it was pretty horrific to see,” San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said.

Williams posted on his Instagram Wednesday afternoon that he was boarding the plane with Shapiro.

Artists represented by Sound Talent Group include pop band Hanson, singer-songwriter Vanessa Carlton and rock group Sum 41.

“We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues and friends,” a spokesperson for Sound Talent Group said in a statement to Billboard. “Our hearts go out to their families and to everyone impacted by today’s tragedy.”

The crash is under investigation.

(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)

Share this post:

POLL

Who Will Vote For?

Other

Republican

Democrat

RECENT NEWS

Winter outside, summer on the water inside at the Cleveland Boat Show

Winter outside, summer on the water inside at the Cleveland Boat Show

Mostly Sunny

Ishan Bhatt named Kiwanis Club Senior of the Month: Orange Schools news roundup

Dear Annie: I’m tired of being pulled in too many directions at once

Dear Annie: I want to help my mother-in-law, but my husband gets angry

Dynamic Country URL Go to Country Info Page