On Friday, July 19 Troy Richard Eric Taylor, a member of the UTEP Dinner Theatre, was pronounced dead due to a crash in Killeen, Texas.

According to El Paso Times, Taylor was driving west on Veteran’s Memorial Boulevard when a car going east collided with his car about 4:15 a.m. Taylor did not respond and was found pinned inside his vehicle.

Several of his friends and members of the UDT, whom he worked in previous productions, have shared pictures and special messages via Troy’s personal Facebook account. He is described as a dedicated, friendly, loving and very talented person, by his peers.

From 2009 to 2013, Taylor had the opportunity to share his talent with the audience, as he was part of various productions such as “Lute,””Rent,” “Metropolis,” “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” “Hair,” and “8-Track.” His last production was “In the Heights,” which was staged last summer.

Currently on their second week of the production of “Chess,” the UDT took a special moment to give a tribute to Taylor before their show on July 19.

Greg Taylor, UDT director, informed the audience of the tragic accident and gave a short eulogy of Troy. In his speech, Greg said Troy was “purely talented, a very fun guy and was very dedicated in everything he would do in the UDT. He was always very funny, and always in a good mood.”

The cast of “Chess” as well as close friends and UDT members took the stage with somber faces, as they commemorated Troy’s work. Don Cieslik, member of the UDT and friends with Troy produced a video in memory of him.