Radio legend Wes Rucker died in a car crash on Thursday February 19 at the age of 43. The tragic news was confirmed by his father in law David Goldberg who also revealed the star's wife is currently expecting their second child. The couple already have one son, Hank. In a moving Facebook post David shared a tribute to Wes and wrote: "This is so very sad. My son-in-law Wes Rucker married to my daughter Lauren was tragically killed in a car accident several hours ago... We are heartbroken. Lauren is expecting their 2nd child. We will miss him. Very sad."

Wes lost his life in a fatal multi-vehicle crash in the Tennessee city. Local media reports quote the Knoxville Police Department confirming  the crash occurred around 4:50p.m. The incident involved five vehicles in a chain-reaction collision. The police told media traffic had slowed down or stopped when one vehicle was rear-ended, which triggered a series of impacts.

Following the initial smash a large pickup truck then struck the scene and drove onto one of the cars, causing catastrophic damage and killed the driver of that vehicle. The crash and the circumstances surrounding it are currently under investigation.

Wes began his career in print media and in August 2025, he joined Knoxville NBC affiliate WBIR as a reporter and he began hosting 10 at 3 with Wes Rucker in November 2025, a streaming show and podcast dedicated to Tennessee athletics. He also hosted the GoVols247 podcast while with 247 Sports, and he hosted The Wes Rucker Show and co-hosted Swain and Rucker on ESPN Radio Knoxville.

Tributes flooded in for the star as the news became public with friends and fans taking to social media to express their shock and devastation. Alongside a black and white image of a smiling Wes his friend Matt Jones penned on X: "Absolutely devastated to hear the news of the passing of my friend Wes Rucker in a car wreck in Knoxville. Wes was the heart of Tennessee sports coverage in my mind and a wonderful man. He loved his family, friends and the Vols What an awful tragedy. God Bless his family."

Journalist Chris Vannini added: " This is such sad news. Wes worked so hard. He always talked so much about his family. Prayers with them."

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Former colleague Carther Bahns chimed in: "Gut wrenching news. When I think of Tennessee sports coverage, I think of Wes. And anyone who knew him knew how much he loved his family. It was a privilege to know and work with him for the few years I did."

Sports journalist Bryan Fischer shared: "Wes was a terrific person and a go to for Tennessee coverage. What a terrible tragedy indeed, thoughts and prayers to his family."

Owner of Shoot Your Shot productions Rob Dauster lamented: "This is gutting, man, Wes was a really really good dude. Had a wife, a young son and another child on the way. He was Tennessee. This is so f****** unfair."

Meanwhile sports radio presenter Will Boling opined: "Devastated to hear the news about Wes Rucker. He was always extremely kind to me anytime our paths crossed. Wes was an outstanding journalist. But more importantly, he was a husband, father and friend gone far too soon. Sending prayers to his loved ones."