It’s a sad day for psychobilly fans. Nekromantix drummer Andy DeMize and a passenger died last night in a horrible car crash in Fullerton, California.

According to the Orange County Register:

The vehicle was traveling southbound on the 57 freeway when the driver lost control, went over an embankment and hit a tree. The car burst into flames, igniting a grove of eucalyptus trees. The driver and another passenger either were ejected or fled the scene, officials said.

Firefighters responded to reports of a fire in eucalyptus trees at 4:40 a.m. and found the car with the two dead occupants at the base of the trees along a strawberry field.

The driver later called 911 from a nearby strawberry field seeking medical attention, according to CHP Sgt. Paul Pines, who was investigating the accident at the scene.

The band released this statement a few hours ago:

My thoughts and Condolences go out to his Family and Everybody that knew Andrew. There is no words to describe the shock…… Andrew was probably the most loveable guy I ever met and truely the only person I’ve met in my life that was loved and liked by everybody met. It’s just typical Andrew to pull off this “rockstar death” way too early. I have no idea how Newcastle Beer will be able to continue to stay in business and I encourage everybody that knew Andrew, was a fan of his work with his bands, to drink one, two or many Newcastles in his honor.