In a candid interview that sheds light on the harrowing events of August 21, 2026, Buckcherry guitarist Stevie Dacanay, widely known as Stevie D., has broken his silence regarding the multi-vehicle accident that severely damaged the band’s tour bus and resulted in a fatality on Interstate 26 in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. Speaking with "Laughing Monkey With Shawn Ratches," Dacanay provided a detailed, firsthand account of the chaotic incident, while also expressing frustration with how the accident was portrayed in subsequent media coverage.
The Night of the Crash: A Chain of Tragic Events
The incident, which occurred in the early morning hours of August 21, 2026, unfolded rapidly and tragically. According to Dacanay’s recounting, Buckcherry’s tour bus was traveling over a hill near Spartanburg, having just departed a show in South Carolina. As they crested the hill, they encountered a stationary vehicle in the roadway.
"I haven’t really even talked about it with anybody outside the band," Dacanay admitted during the interview, underscoring the personal toll the event has taken. "But, yeah, there was an accident just outside of… We were coming out of a show in South Carolina, and there was an accident right before… We were all coming over a hill."
Dacanay explained that the initial cause of the chain reaction was a drunk driver who had pulled over. This vehicle was reportedly positioned half in the shoulder and half in the right lane. The driver then exited his vehicle and walked out into the road. The first car to encounter this situation struck the stationary vehicle and its occupant, propelling the car and pedestrian into the left lane.
It was at this critical juncture that Buckcherry’s tour bus, approaching the scene from behind, became involved. "And then he flew into the left lane, and then we came over the hill, took off his door and then the door went into oncoming traffic and caused a pile-up over there, and then we hit the guy after that," Dacanay described, painting a vivid picture of the unfolding disaster.
The impact of the bus on the pedestrian and the debris from the initial collisions created a scene of immense destruction. Following Buckcherry’s bus, an additional five to six vehicles, also coming over the hill, were unable to avoid the wreckage, leading to a significant pile-up. "So there was quite a mess," Dacanay stated, highlighting the scale of the catastrophe.
Immediate Aftermath and Crew Safety
In the immediate aftermath of the collision, the band and their touring crew prioritized assessing the situation and ensuring everyone’s safety. A member of the road crew, identified as a drum tech, bravely ran a considerable distance – approximately a quarter of a mile – to survey the extent of the damage and assist where possible.
"After we pulled over, a drum tech ran about a quarter of a mile down to see what had happened and saw the aftermath," Dacanay recounted. Crucially, he confirmed that all members of the touring crew and the band itself were "safe and unharmed," a fact that was promptly communicated via the band’s social media channels.
However, the tour bus itself sustained irreparable damage. "And our bus was not drivable after that," Dacanay stated. The highway surface was reportedly coated with hazardous fluids, including gasoline, diesel, transmission fluid, and brake fluid, rendering it unsafe and necessitating a complete shutdown of the interstate.
The fatality of the pedestrian was confirmed by authorities, leading to the prolonged closure of Interstate 26. The band and their crew were stranded on the highway until approximately 8:00 a.m. that morning, having been involved in the incident around 2:00 a.m.
Addressing Media Spin and Misinformation
Beyond the physical trauma of the accident, Dacanay expressed significant disappointment and frustration with how the event was reported by various media outlets. He noted a pattern of sensationalism and misrepresentation aimed at generating clicks and engagement.
"I saw that there was a bunch of press after that… I guess what a lot of outlets do is kind of spin it in a way where people will click on it," Dacanay observed. "And it looked like somebody in our camp had died… I don’t know. There was just a bunch of… It was just a weird spin on things."
The guitarist specifically pointed to instances where media coverage implied a more direct and significant culpability of the band in the fatality, or suggested that someone within Buckcherry’s immediate circle had perished. This narrative, he stated, was not only inaccurate but also deeply insensitive to the gravity of the situation and the band’s own experience.
The misinformation extended to podcasts and online content creators who engaged in speculation. "And then there was even… I saw podcasts about the accident, that they were speculating things, and it was just really silly," Dacanay remarked. He chose to disengage from these discussions, recognizing the futility of combating baseless conjecture.
Dacanay also shared an experience where he encountered a YouTube video that combined footage of unrelated, horrific car crashes with images of the band, further distorting the reality of the event. "I even saw a story – it was on YouTube. It came up in my feed. I, just like everyone else, clicked on it, and it was all this footage of crashes that weren’t even our accident. And they were horrifying. And then peppered with pictures of us."
Despite the distressing nature of these portrayals, Dacanay adopted a stoic perspective. "So, I don’t know. It is what it is. It’s over. And I hope that guy is in a – he’s obviously in a better place now," he concluded, offering a somber sentiment of peace for the victim.
Official Incident Report and Chronology
The South Carolina Highway Patrol’s official report provides a factual framework for the events of that night. According to their findings, a Toyota Sedan was traveling eastbound on Interstate 26 at mile marker 31 when it struck a pedestrian on the roadway. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.
The report further clarified that the pedestrian was the driver of a single-vehicle crash that had occurred earlier in the vicinity and had exited their vehicle prior to being struck by the eastbound sedan. This detail aligns with Dacanay’s account of a driver pulling over and exiting their car.
The sequence of events, as understood from official reports and Dacanay’s testimony, can be outlined as follows:
- Earlier Incident: A single-vehicle crash occurred on Interstate 26. The driver of this vehicle exited their car.
- Pedestrian in Roadway: The driver, now a pedestrian, was in the roadway, reportedly positioned partially in the right lane.
- Initial Collision: A vehicle, described by Dacanay as the "first car," struck the pedestrian.
- Secondary Collision (Buckcherry’s Bus): Buckcherry’s tour bus, approaching over a hill, became involved after the initial collision and the movement of debris and vehicles into their path. Dacanay indicates the bus struck the pedestrian after the initial impact and debris field.
- Subsequent Pile-Up: Several additional vehicles, following Buckcherry’s bus, were unable to avoid the unfolding wreckage, resulting in a multi-vehicle pile-up.
- Fatality: The pedestrian involved in the initial single-vehicle crash was pronounced dead at the scene.
- Emergency Response and Investigation: Authorities responded, securing the scene and initiating an investigation.
- Highway Closure: Interstate 26 was closed in both directions due to the severity of the accident and the hazardous conditions.
- Reopening: All lanes of Interstate 26 were reopened to traffic around 10:30 a.m. on August 21, 2026, approximately 8.5 hours after the incident.
Buckcherry’s Continued Momentum and Musical Output
Despite the harrowing experience, Buckcherry has demonstrated resilience and a commitment to their ongoing musical endeavors. The band is currently on tour in support of their latest album, "Roar Like Thunder," released in June 2025. This album marks their latest studio effort, distributed internationally by Round Hill Records in North America, Sony Music in Japan, and Earache Records globally.
"Roar Like Thunder" follows a consistent production pattern for the band, having been recorded in Nashville at Sienna Studios. The album was produced by the acclaimed Marti Frederiksen, a veteran songwriter and producer with an extensive resume including collaborations with iconic artists such as Aerosmith, Def Leppard, Jonny Lang, and Sheryl Crow.
The songwriting credits for "Roar Like Thunder," as well as its predecessors "Vol. 10" (2023) and "Hellbound" (2021), are shared among Buckcherry vocalist Josh Todd, guitarist Stevie Dacanay, and producer Marti Frederiksen. All ten tracks on the latest album were collaboratively written by this trio, reflecting a strong creative partnership.
The current lineup of Buckcherry features Josh Todd as the sole original member. Alongside Todd and Dacanay (guitar, backing vocals), the band is rounded out by Billy Rowe (guitar, backing vocals), Kelly LeMieux (bass), and Francis Ruiz (drums).
Stevie Dacanay’s tenure with Buckcherry dates back to the band’s revival in 2005. His arrival marked a significant period of creative resurgence for the group following a brief hiatus in the early 2000s. Dacanay, alongside Todd, is credited with revitalizing the band’s hard rock sound. His guitar work was instrumental in shaping the comeback album "15," which spawned major hits like "Crazy Bitch" and "Sorry," re-establishing Buckcherry as a prominent force in the modern rock landscape. His continued contributions underscore his integral role in the band’s enduring legacy.
The accident, while a traumatic event, serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of life on the road and the critical importance of road safety. Buckcherry’s ability to navigate such a profound incident and continue their musical journey speaks to their resilience as artists and individuals.
