Family, friends to say goodbye to daughter of Charlotte radio show host killed in crash

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Family and friends will say their final goodbyes Saturday to a 21-year-old woman killed in a crash in Mooresville Wednesday.

The crash happened just after midnight Wednesday. Troopers said Payton Cannon was driving a 2020 BMW at a high rate of speed when the car went off Brawley School Road at Lightship Drive and hit a tree.

She died at the scene.

ALSO READ: Driver dies after speeding, crashing into another car on I-485, troopers say

Officials said a fire crew returning from a medical call around the same time happened upon the crash.

Channel 9 learned Wednesday that Cannon is the daughter of popular Charlotte radio show host David Cannon, who is better known as “Ace” of the Ace & TJ Show.

On Wednesday, his co-host posted a message on social media, asking for prayers and support.

Channel 9 reporter Erin Edwards spent Wednesday in Mooresville, where the community is mourning Cannon’s death. Several of her friends stopped by the crash scene to leave flowers and say a prayer.

“It was never boring when she was there,” said family friend Gina Emerson. “She was a sweetie.”

Emerson told Channel 9 that Cannon was as unique as it gets.

“She would just think of things we wouldn’t,” she said. “A regular day at the house or a regular sleepover would just be made more fun with her.”

Emerson said Cannon and her daughter were best friends while they attended Lake Norman High School.

“Having a daughter her age, I can’t even imagine,” she said. “I’m hoping everyone can come back to Mooresville to be all together and support each other.”

Payton Cannon and her father, David Cannon Payton Cannon and her father, David Cannon (WSOC)

Troopers said Cannon was wearing a seatbelt and was the only person in the car at the time of the crash. They also said high speed was a contributing factor in the wreck.

This is an ongoing investigation.

During a public viewing, Cannon’s family received friends from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home.

Dozens of friends and family came up to comfort each other and to say goodbye.

“Her laughter. Her laughter would put a smile on anyone’s face. You could hear her coming down the hallway, down anywhere. It was very contagious,” Payton’s friend, Taylor Orr, said.

Orr met Payton in grade school. The loss has been devastating for all of her friends and family.

“I dropped to the ground. I couldn’t believe it and it really opened my eyes that it could happen to any of us,” Orr said.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday at the Cavin-Cook Funeral Home Chapel.

Graveside services will be held at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Ball, Louisiana, at a later date. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.

Check back with wsoctv.com for more information.