Christopher (right) with Brittany and daughter Stella. Photo: Harvest

Greg Laurie’s son killed today in crash in Corona, California

By Dan Wooding

Founder of ASSIST Ministries

Christopher David Laurie, the 33-year-old first-born son of well-know evangelist Greg Laurie, died in an auto accident in Riverside County, California, today (Thursday, July 24, 2008.), reports ASSIST News Service

The accident occurred at around 9:00 AM this morning on the Riverside Freeway, near Serfas Club Drive in Corona after his vehicle car slammed into the back of a Caltrans truck in the carpool lane on the eastbound Riverside (91) Freeway in Corona, California.

No one else was injured. The accident east of Route 71 backed up traffic for miles in both directions.

According to Corona Fire Department Battalion Chief Mike Porter, Laurie apparently went into the carpool lane as Caltrans was in the process of closing it.

The driver of the truck was not injured in the collision, but the vehicle was heavily damaged.

According to the Orange County Register, Laurie's station wagon hit the last Caltrans truck in a five-truck sweeper crew that was clearing debris from the car-pool lane, said Caltrans spokeswoman Rose Melgoza.

“The last two trucks in the convoy were mounted with crash cushions and large light boards directing traffic to move to another lane,” said the OC Register story.

Laurie of Huntington Beach, served as the art director at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, sponsor of the Harvest Crusade, for the last three years.

According to the church, he is survived by his parents, Greg and Cathe; his wife, Brittany; and daughter, Stella; as well as his brother, Jonathan.

Laurie was expecting another daughter in November, church officials said.

Greg Laurie is senior pastor of the Riverside megachurch and is well-known for his dynamic preaching. His sermons are telecast across America and around the world.

“Greg Laurie is scheduled to lead the 19th annual Southern California Harvest Crusade in Angel Stadium in Anaheim Aug. 15-17,” said the Orange County Register story. “Laurie's church has 12,000 members, and he has preached to 3.6 million people worldwide, press releases said.”

[07/25/2008]

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