In a shocking incident, American actor and musician Kevin Clark, known for playing Freddy “Spazzy McGee” Jones, in the smash hit 2003 musical comedy film, School of Rock, was killed after getting struck by a car while riding his bicycle in Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood on early Wednesday. He was 32. According to a Chicago Police Department crash report, a witness and the driver told the responding officers that the accident took place after he ran a red light when he was riding east on Logan Boulevard before being struck by the vehicle while heading south in Western Avenue. 

Officers stated that Clark was found by emergency responders partially under the car and was in a critical condition while being rushed to the Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center where was declared dead after a short time. Not divulging too much information, authorities said that the 20-year-old woman who was driving the car had been issued several citations earlier. Clark, whose only acting role to date remains School of Rock, had actively pursued drumming and recently played in the band Jess Bess and the Intentions. He along with the band made their debut performance at the Legendary Wooden Nickel in the Chicago suburb of Highwood. Clark, in his earlier interviews, stated that he landed the role in School of Rock after responding to an ad in a local newspaper seeking adolescents who can play drums, keyboards and guitar. 

School of Rock lead star Jack Black in a post on Instagram called Clark's death as devastating and added that he was heartbroken that it came too soon. "Devastating news. Kevin is gone. Way too soon. Beautiful soul. So many great memories. Heartbroken. Sending love to his family and the whole School of Rock community," Black wrote.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Jack Black (@jackblack)

Clark's co-star Rivkah Reyes, who played Katie in the film, posted a heartfelt detailed emotional statement on her Instagram and said he was her first friend on the film's set and spoke about how the two instantly connected. Posting a picture from their School of Rock days, Reyes wrote, "we spoke yesterday about him being on an episode of where are we now. i know it would’ve been chaotic and hilarious and so full of love and hyping each other up because that’s how our friendship always has been." 

She added, "i’m absolutely heartbroken. kev was my first friend on set. we instantly connected over being jews from chicago. he introduced me to green day and was the catalyst for my pop punk phase (which hasn’t ended.) he was always supportive of me and my endeavors. his family would often come to my comedy shows and plays, and every time tenacious D was in town, we would go together. we would sometimes run into each other randomly in chicago and he always gave me the biggest, warmest hugs."

Reyes further stated, "i’m so sorry to his beautiful mom allison, his siblings nicole and cary, and to everyone who experienced his friendship and loving heart. i miss him so much. i am so grateful that my fellow cast mates, including jables, have been able to support each other through this day. we are a strong, loving family. love you forever, spaz." 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Rivkah Reyes (@rivkah.reyes)