Rooer Who Didn’t Make It Home

[Delicious Meatball Sub]

Hey guys. Driving home from Bonnaroo James Hoffman was involved in a head-on collision and lost his life. James had been attending Bonnaroo since he was 17, and this was his 5th trip in a row. I didn’t have the chance to know James’ personally, he was a friend of someone in my family, but I’ve been listening to others talk about him and their stories have resonated with me. James was a student at Indiana University, and like me was on staff at IU’s student radio, WIUX. My favorite people from Bloomington were fellow WIUXers, and I’m sure if James was older or I were younger, the two of us would have had a great time staffing the late shift, planning house shows, and debating indie releases.

James travelled alone to Bonnaroo this year, after some unexpected life events. He decided to go it alone because he knew that even if he traveled alone Bonnaroo would be waiting for him when he got there, a circumstance many of us can relate to. I think everyone here has friends they can count on seeing every year at Bonnaroo, and have folks that become friends simply be being at Bonnaroo with you.

Here’s one of the last pictures of James from Sunday at Bonnaroo, looking happy and wearing a dope suit.

SPOILER: Click to show

At 11:30 Monday morning, James was driving through Kentucky when his car crossed the median and was killed in the resulting collision. We don’t know exactly why his car crossed the median, but I know I’ve been in tough situations driving home exhausted from music festivals. I was lucky ended up home safe, James, sadly, was not.

So if you’re reading this, I hope you guys can do two things for me:

1. Drive Safe. Driving is the most dangerous thing we do every day, and long trips to music festivals can be particularly dangerous. There’s always a temptation to party in the car on the way there, or push through when you’re exhausted and try to get home. Don’t do that. Think of the people waiting for you at home. Don’t text, make lots of stops. If you feel tired, pull over, rest, and clear your head. Call a friend (hands free) and chat to keep your mind occupied. Don’t be the only one awake in the car. Get there safe, get home safe, repeat.

2. If you’re willing and able, please consider donating to James’ family. They’re facing a lot of expenses getting James home and having a memorial to celebrate his life. Any little bit you could donate would be much appreciated by them. www.gofundme.com/fund-for-james-hoffmans-memorial

Here is a little more about James, thanks for reading.
www.legacy.com/obituaries/jconline/obituary.aspx?n=james-h-hoffman&pid=185815563

www.wlfi.com/story/35653576/former-jeff-hs-student-killed-in-kentucky-car-crash

[postjack]

1. Duly noted about driving safe. Thank you for the reminder. I've certainly been in situations where I'm very tired after a day at a festival and driven back to my hotel, often alone.

2. Donated.

[klimfactor]

Hey, thanks for posting this. I didn't know him, but as a longtime roo-goer I still followed your link and made a donation.
I had to drive home solo this year, and at one point I felt myself nodding off. Luckily, I was able to pull into a gas station and get some coffee and do some jumping jacks.

[pondo ROCKS]

OMG WE TALKED TO HIM AT ROO! This is so sad.

[Deleted]

Jun 16, 2017 13:15:12 GMT -5 pondo ROCKS said:

OMG WE TALKED TO HIM AT ROO! This is so sad.

Mind if I ask what was said?

[pondo ROCKS]

I told him I loved his cloud suit and asked how he was staying cool. He said it wasn't as hot as you'd think and told me he liked my horns.

Always sad when tragedy hits Roo.

[Delicious Meatball Sub]

Bump. Safe travels to Bonnaroo or whatever your festival destination may be.