Tragedy has struck the metal community as Joshua “Nassaru” Ward, the 37-year-old drummer and vocalist for North Carolina’s death metal band Voraath, was killed in a drunk driving accident on New Year’s Eve.
The incident occurred on Cooley Bridge Road near Greenville, South Carolina. Ward, accompanied by his girlfriend and two friends, was in an SUV backing out of a private driveway when a 2012 BMW sedan collided with them. The impact forced the SUV off the road and into a tree, resulting in the deaths of all four occupants. Ward is survived by his young son, Kai.
The driver of the BMW, 32-year-old Nicholas Shane Meeks, sustained minor injuries. Authorities arrested Meeks at the scene, charging him with four counts of felony DUI involving death and driving with a suspended license. Notably, Meeks had a prior DUI conviction from March 2024.
In the wake of this tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to cover funeral expenses and support Ward’s son, Kai. The campaign has garnered significant support, reflecting the deep impact Ward had on his community.
Voraath, known for their sci-fi horror-inspired extreme metal, had recently been working on their sophomore album. Ward’s untimely passing is a significant loss to the metal community, where he was celebrated not only for his musical talent but also for his dedicats and his role as a father.
This heartbreaking incident underscores the devastating consequences of drunk driving. Our thoughts are with Joshua Ward’s family, friends, bandmates, and all affected by this tragedy.
