LAUREL, DE (CelebrityAccess) – All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Ring of Honor (ROH) pro wrestling star Jay Briscoe (born Jamin Pugh) died Tuesday (January 17) in a head-on collision with another vehicle in Laurel, DE, according to Delaware State Police.
Pugh and his two young daughters – Gracie and Jayleigh, aged 9 and 12, were traveling in Pugh’s 2016 Chevy Silverado 2500 pick-up truck when they collided with another Chevrolet Silverado driven by 27-year-old Lillyanne Ternahan of Frankford, DE.
Police say she had driven directly into the path of Pugh’s truck for “unknown reasons.” Pugh was not wearing a seatbelt but his two daughters were. They were taken by ambulance to an area hospital and are currently in critical condition. Pugh’s mother, Jana Pugh told delawareonline that Gracie and Jayleigh both had to have emergency surgeries, and doctors aren’t sure if one will be able to walk again.
Ternahan also died at the scene and was not properly restrained.
Those in the wrestling world have been posting tributes to the star on social media. Tony Khan, CEO of AEW and owner of ROH, posted on Twitter on Wednesday (January 18).
Sadly, Jamin Pugh has passed away. Known to fans as Jay Briscoe, he was a star in ROH for over 20 years, from the first show until today.
Jay and his brother Mark dominated ROH, reigning as champions to this day. We’ll do whatever we can to support his family.
Rest In Peace Jamin— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) January 18, 2023
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) CCO Triple H tweeted, “An incredible performer who created a deep connection with wrestling fans across the globe. My condolences to the family and friends of Jay Briscoe.”
Matt Hardy, another WWE superstar posted:
Heard this tragic news while flying. I’m DEVASTATED that Jay Briscoe (Jamin Pugh) tragically died today. I was honored to work with him many times. I loved Jay. Jay was SO real. Jay loved his wife & kids more than anything & we shared that bond. I’m heartbroken for his family. pic.twitter.com/c2Jki7dEp0
— MATT HARDY (@MATTHARDYBRAND) January 18, 2023
Pugh was born January 1984 on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in Salisbury.
Pugh and his brother Mark, known as “Dem Boys”, were 13-time ROH World Tag Team Champions winning their last title in December against Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood. The brothers were inducted into the inaugural class of the ROH Hall of Fame in 2022. Pugh was also a two-time solo champ with ROH.
More recently, Pugh was an assistant coach on the Laurel Middle School football team, on which his son, Gannon played and also coached youth basketball in Laurel.
Pugh is survived by his wife Ashley Pugh, two daughters, Jayleigh and Gracie, and his son Gannon.
