Former NHL player Nic Kerdiles, who appeared on “Chrisley Knows Best,” died in a motorcycle accident this September 2023 in Nashville. He was only 29 years old. The young athlete’s death has left the Chrisley family heartbroken.
The Chrisley family, who engaged viewers with their reality show and strong family bonds, faces one of life’s most difficult challenges. Lindsie Chrisley and her family members have asked for space to process their grief. Their loyal fans continue to show tremendous support as the family works through this devastating time.
Motorcycle Crash Claims Life of Former NHL Player Nic Kerdiles
A tragic motorcycle crash took the life of former Anaheim Ducks player Nic Kerdiles during the early morning hours of September 23, 2023. The whole ordeal unfolded around 3:30 AM near the intersection of 14th Avenue North and Wheless Street in North Nashville. The 29-year-old athlete, known for his previous engagement to Savannah Chrisley, lost his life in this devastating accident.
Police Confirm Fatal Collision in Nashville
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department reported that Kerdiles rode his Indian Motorcycle westbound on Wheless Street and didn’t stop at a stop sign. His motorcycle crashed into the driver’s side of a BMW SUV crossing the intersection. The police found no signs that either Kerdiles or the BMW driver were impaired.
“The preliminary investigation shows that Kerdiles was driving his Indian Motorcycle west on Wheless Street when he traveled through the stop sign and struck the driver’s side of the BMW,” stated the Nashville Police Department in their official release.
Medical teams rushed Kerdiles to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He died from his injuries at the hospital. The BMW’s driver stopped immediately after the crash. The police confirmed they don’t expect any charges related to the accident.
Medical examiners ruled Kerdiles’ death accidental due to multiple blunt traumatic injuries. These included:
- Broken bones
- Bruising of the brain
- Abrasions
Witnesses Describe the Tragic Scene
Emergency teams arrived minutes after someone reported the crash at 3:30 AM. This heartbreaking accident happened in a residential area north of Tennessee’s capital, shocking both hockey fans and reality TV viewers.
Kerdiles had posted an Instagram story just hours before the crash. He shared a photo with his motorcycle captioned “Night rider”. The picture showed him with what looked like the same Indian Motorcycle involved in the accident.
The Anaheim Ducks shared their grief through a statement: “We’re heartbroken to hear the news about Nic Kerdiles, who died in a motorcycle accident this morning. An Irvine native, Nic became the first player from Orange County to play for the Ducks, in 2017”.
The San Diego Gulls expressed their sorrow on Instagram, saying they were “heartbroken to hear the news about Nic Kerdiles”.
Savannah Chrisley Shares Heartbreaking News with Imprisoned Father
Savannah Chrisley learned about Nic Kerdiles’ fatal motorcycle accident while she was flying to see her imprisoned father. The news hit her mid-flight, making an already difficult journey even more heartbreaking. Her task became even harder as she realized she would have to tell her father about the death of her former fiancé, with whom he shared a special bond.
Emotional Prison Visit Reveals Devastating Loss
Savannah was reading her mother Julie Chrisley’s prison letters during her flight to Pensacola Federal Prison Camp in Florida when she discovered Nic’s accident. “I just fell apart on the plane, like there was no controlling it,” she shared on her Unlocked podcast. She tried to pull herself together before entering but couldn’t hide her distress. “I walked into that prison visiting room a hot mess, let me tell you, like just makeup all over my face,” Savannah remembered. She desperately texted Nic hoping he would respond, as her messages showed a “delivered” status.
Todd Chrisley Receives News While Serving Sentence
Todd spotted his daughter’s distress right away. “He was like, ‘What’s wrong? What’s wrong?’ and I couldn’t get words out,” Savannah said. “I just said ‘Nic,’ and as hard as it was telling him that, I’m also so grateful that God allowed me to be the one to tell him”. The father and daughter “cried all day” as Todd was “devastated and heartbroken” by the loss. This moment showed Todd’s deep connection with Nic, whom Savannah described as “best friends”.
Family Struggles with Communication Barriers During Crisis
The tragedy highlighted how difficult it was for the family to communicate with both parents in prison. Todd and Julie Chrisley haven’t spoken directly to each other since their sentences began. “My parents, they have not gotten to speak to each other on the phone,” Savannah previously shared. “It has been a year and they have been together for 30 years”. Email communication exists but messages often face delays or interception. Their children now act as messengers between them: “Every call I have with my mom is ‘Please tell your dad how much I love him’ and every call with dad is ‘Please tell your mom how much I love her'”.
How Did Lindsie Chrisley React to Former Brother-in-Law’s Death?
Lindsie Chrisley took a different approach from her family members. She decided not to share a social media tribute after her former brother-in-law Nic Kerdiles passed away tragically. This choice sparked mixed reactions from fans.
Social Media Tributes Pour In
The news of Kerdiles’ death prompted Savannah Chrisley to share several heartfelt tributes about her ex-fiancé. Her original post was a Boomerang on Instagram Stories that showed them sharing a kiss. She wrote, “Heaven gained the most beautiful angel today… I miss and love you. I’ll forever save our last messages of ‘I love you.'” Her brother Chase Chrisley also remembered Kerdiles by posting a picture of them enjoying cigars on a golf course with the caption “No words… i love you man.”
Savannah’s tributes continued a month after his death. She posted “Can’t believe it’s been exactly 1 month since we lost you” with photos, including one of Kerdiles with her niece Chloe. The remembrances culminated on what would have been his 30th birthday. She created a touching video and wrote, “Little did I know that this time last year would be the last time we would sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to you.”
Past Tensions Give Way to United Grief
Critics questioned Lindsie’s choice to post birthday photos instead of a tribute. She addressed this on her “Coffee Convos” podcast and explained her position: “Based off of the events that have taken place with myself and my sister, for me to post something because it would feel insincere.”
Lindsie stood up for Savannah against critics. She made it clear her sister “had absolutely nothing to do” with media connecting her to Kerdiles after his death. She acknowledged that “She is also grieving, whether they were together now or whether they weren’t.”
While Lindsie chose not to mourn publicly, she stayed connected through “communication with other family members who have been in communication with her [Savannah].” She emphasized that her “heart goes out to her as it would to anybody in that situation.” She also offered her “deepest condolences” to Kerdiles’ family. This showed how family tensions stepped aside to make room for grief.
“I don’t think that we should be living for what we’re posting on social media,” Lindsie reflected. She added, “We should be living for what we’re doing in our lives personally outside of what the public knows.”
Chrisley Family Releases Official Statement on Tragic Loss
The Chrisley family came together in grief after Nic Kerdiles died unexpectedly at age 29. Todd and Julie Chrisley, who are serving prison sentences for fraud, shared their heartbreak through their attorney Jay Surgent.
Julie Chrisley Speaks Through Representatives
Julie and Todd Chrisley shared their devastation from prison through their attorney. “Nic was a treasured friend of the entire family. Almost like a member of the family. Adored and loved completely by both Todd and Julie and, of course, Savannah,” Surgent’s statement read. The couple feels “totally broken up” about Kerdiles’ death and will “miss him” deeply. Their incarceration makes them feel that “life is so unfair,” especially since they can’t grieve with their children. They emphasized that Kerdiles stayed important to them even after his engagement to Savannah ended in 2020.
Chase Chrisley Remembers Close Friendship with Nic
Chase Chrisley’s grief showed clearly as he posted several tributes on social media about his close bond with Kerdiles:
“No words…i love you man,” Chase wrote alongside a photo of the pair smoking cigars on a golf cart.
In another emotional post with them relaxing in leather chairs, Chase expressed, “Doesn’t feel real…lost a brother today…I know God has a plan but man I don’t understand it today. Fly high my brother and rest easy.”
Chase’s final tribute showed a photo of himself, Nic, and Savannah, with the simple message “Love you brother” with broken heart emojis.
Family Requests Privacy During Mourning Period
Other family members also shared their grief publicly. Kyle Chrisley said, “He wasn’t just Savannah’s ex fiancé, he was a part of our family,” adding that “my daddy loved him, my nanny adored him.” Grayson Chrisley, who’s 17, wrote on Instagram, “Ain’t no way plz tell me it ain’t real I love you man forever n always.”
The family needs time and space to process their loss. While sharing their grief openly, they ask for privacy as they cope with losing the young man who became such a big part of their lives through his relationship with Savannah.
Conclusion
Nic Kerdiles’ sudden passing at 29 has deeply affected the Chrisley family and their community. This tragedy expresses life’s fragility and shows how quickly everything can change. Their raw emotional response and genuine grief prove their connection to Kerdiles went way beyond the reach and influence of his previous engagement to Savannah.
Todd and Julie Chrisley now deal with their grief from behind prison walls. Their attorney’s statement shows their steadfast dedication to the young man they called family. Each family member processes loss in their own way – Chase shares heartfelt remembrances while Lindsie maintains respectful distance.
Kerdiles’ legacy lives through the memories that ever spread by those who knew him best. People remember him as a professional athlete, a cherished friend, and a beloved member of the Chrisley family. His tragic accident reminds us how unpredictable life can be and why we should cherish every moment with our loved ones.
