A BEST man has died after a truck slammed into the car carrying him and the newlywed couple to their wedding reception.
Chance Karnes, 20, was killed in the horror smash in Monroe County, Illinois, on Saturday that also injured four others.
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Chance Karnes, 20, was killed on the way to the wedding receptionCredit: Facebook
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The best man had been traveling with the newlywed coupleCredit: Facebook
He had been riding in the Ford Bronco with other members of the wedding party when a Chevy truck hit them.
Former school quarterback Karnes died at the scene after he was thrown from the car when it overturned, KSDK reports.
He had turned 20 just one day before the fatal crash.
The other people involved in the crash are expected to survive.
They included Ryan and Ally Fithian, who had married just hours before, and Chance’s girlfriend.
The driver of the Chevy truck Rhonda Schaefer, 57, sustained minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital.
His dad Jason told WSIL: “[He was] a handsome young man with beautiful blue eyes. He was an old soul.”
Chance’s mom Brandi said her son’s passion was horses.
Jason added: “[He] went to shows all over the Midwest and Oklahoma, Texas. [He] enjoyed that closed cowboy family that he was in.”
Paying tribute, his former teacher Kevin Dunaway, said: “He’s going to be greatly missed.
“This is just one of those terrible, terrible accidents, that you question.
“But you just can’t replace those individuals. He had leadership, stepped up to those responsibilities.
“The way he conducted himself. On the athletic field, in the classroom, in the shop.
“He’s just one of those people you can’t help but like.”
The Ranch Sorting National Championships posted to Facebook: “A tragic loss of a great cowboy.
“The Ranch Sorting community is blessed to have gotten to know Chance. He and his contagious smile will be greatly missed.
“Rest easy cowboy.”
The accident is still under investigation.
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Ryan and Ally Fithian, who had married just hours before, were also injured in the crashCredit: Facebook
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Chance was an avid cowboy, his family saidCredit: Facebook
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Chance’s mom Brandi said her son’s passion was horsesCredit: Facebook
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