Longtime drummer for George Strait killed in Tennessee car crash

LEBANON, Tenn. (WZTV) - A longtime drummer for country music star George Strait died in a crash on Interstate 40 in Wilson County, Tennessee.

Mike Kennedy, 59, of Baxter, Tennessee, was driving a utility vehicle on I-40 West when he was killed in the crash near mile marker 238 at about 4 p.m. Friday in Lebanon, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol. According to its report, Kennedy merged into a lane, hitting a tractor trailer, which hit another vehicle.

No other injuries were reported.

"George Strait responded on Twitter Sunday to Kennedy's death:

"Hard to put into words how much Mike's passing has affected us all. Our hearts are broken. It’s going to be very strange not being able to look over and see him there in his spot on stage and very emotional as well I’m sure for all of us and also his fans. The band will never be the same. A part of us is gone forever. We all loved Mike and will miss him terribly. He was just as solid a friend to us all as he was a drummer, and that was damn solid. Our hearts and prayers are with his family. The Lord has him now. Rest In Peace my friend."

Production manager, Paul Rogers, also responded to Kennedy's death on social media and wrote the "heartbeat of the band is gone."

This is a developing news story and more information will be added as its released.