'A heart-wrenching blow.' Daughter of Charlotte radio show host dies in car wreck

Jul. 29--The 21-year-old daughter of a Charlotte radio show host died early Wednesday in a high-speed, single-car wreck at Lake Norman, authorities said.

Payton Alizabeth Cannon was killed after she lost control, veered off a rain-slickened Brawley School Road and hit a tree, Sgt. Chad Crouse of the State Highway Patrol said.

Cannon's father is David Cannon, known as "Ace" on the longtime "Ace & TJ" syndicated morning radio show, the show posted on Facebook Wednesday.

Troopers estimated Payton Cannon was traveling 80 mph to 90 mph in a 2020 black BMW passenger car at the time, Crouse said. The speed limit at that section of the road is 45 mph, according to Crouse.

Troopers are awaiting toxicology test results, he said.

EMS paramedics pronounced Cannon dead at the scene, according to the sergeant.

Cannon was northbound when she wrecked at about 12:15 a.m. near Lightship Lane, a little more than a mile south of the Brawley School Road roundabout at Trump National Golf Club Charlotte, Crouse said.

She was alone in the car and had a seat belt on, Master Trooper Jeffrey Swagger said. Troopers were at the wreck site for nearly three hours, he said.

'We are all devastated'

The Ace & TJ show took to Facebook to express its anguish.

"Our show has experienced a heart wrenching blow," co-host TJ, whose real name is Ritchie Beams, said in the post. "Ace's daughter Payton was taken from us in a single car accident last night. As you can imagine, we are all devastated, but Ace and his family are especially in desperate need of your prayers.

"We have always shared our lives with you during laughter and sadness, so we wanted to give you the information before you heard it somewhere else," Beams said.

Beams thanked listeners "for your constant support. We appreciate it more than you could possibly know."

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