Warren Parker, pianist and vocalist with the Parker Trio, was killed in a hit and run accident in Goose Creek, South Carolina over the weekend.

Just before midnight Saturday night, Parker was standing outside the tour bus assisting their bus driver back into a church parking lot when he was hit by a passing truck pinning him between the truck and the bus. The driver then fled the scene and at press time, authorities are still looking for the person responsible.

The Parker Trio (L-R): Warren, Garth (guitarist), Shannan and Angie

Parker was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland on July 16, 1971, Warren accepted the Lord into his life at age six and began in music at the age of seven. He began to study organ and music theory at eight years old. After his family immigrated to Canada in 1982, he switched from the organ to the piano. He studied conservatory music up until he graduated high school and began playing frequently in his home church.

Parker was introduced to Southern Gospel music through a friend he had met while returning from a mission trip to Belize. He then began to travel with a part-time Southern Gospel group from Ontario for 4 years. In 1995, Warren got the opportunity to audition with a group from South Carolina to go full-time. Warren married Shannan on July 27, 1996 and about seven months into the marriage, they both felt the call on their lives to go back on the road in full-time ministry.

In 1996, Parker released his first solo piano project titled, Goodbye World Goodbye, and was working on his second instrumental piano project in addition to the group’s upcoming CD Leaving Familiar which were to be released later this winter.

The local NBC network affiliate, WCBD, has posted details of the accident on their web site. Updates will be posted on the group’s web site, www.Parker Trio.com. Please pray for Parker’s wife Shannan, Angie and Brandt White (vocalist and bus driver for the group), Garth Coulter (guitarist), his sister Julie, her husband David, nephews Ryan and Matthew, Brian and Edna Parker (Warren’s parents) during this very difficult time.