A Day to Remember Sound Engineer Jeff Kaplan Dies in Auto Accident

There's sad news to start the New Year as A Day to Remember sound engineer Jeff Kaplan has died at the age of 43. The engineer was involved in an auto accident where he hit a median. When he got out of his car to check the damage, he was struck by an SUV.

According to the Capital Gazette, "Maryland State Police said 43-year-old Jeffrey A. Kaplan was driving a 2013 Subaru when he lost control and struck the median. Kaplan got out of his vehicle and was standing in the travel portion of the roadway when he was hit by a 1999 Ford sport utility vehicle." There were reportedly no overhead lights on this portion of the highway. Kaplan was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

Kaplan has worked with many acts over the years in addition to his current work with A Day to Remember. He's been part of the crew for such acts as P.O.D., Trapt, Blindside, Socialburn, Head Automatica, Brand New, Unwritten Law, Snoop Dogg, G. Love & Special Sauce, Thomas Dolby, Michelle Branch and others.

A memorial fund has been launched for Kaplan's 7-year-old daughter Vivien, pictured in the photo above. "He was a great friend, a mentor, a father, an incredible sound engineer," states the memorial page. "He has left behind a gorgeous little girl whom he absolutely adored and was always so proud of." You can donate to the memorial fund here.