Justin Bieber Tweets #RIPAlicia Tribute To Superfan Alicia Tamboia Who Was Killed In A Car Accident
#RIPAlicia trended for Justin Bieber superfan, Alicia Tamboia, who was killed in a car accident on Friday.
Justin Bieber tributed the late Alicia Tamboia on Saturday by tweeting #RIPAlicia, for a fan killed in a car accident on Friday.
The 24-year-old and Cody Veverka were killed just before midnight near Albany, New York, when the Volkswagen in which they traveled as passengers hit another vehicle and spun into a tractor-trailer, according to police and media reports.
After news of Alicia’s death spread Saturday, Bieber’s fans powered #RIPAlicia to the top of trending topics on Twitter in the US to honor and mourn the 2008 high school graduate who reportedly helped many “Beliebers” meet the superstar, and contributed to PopDust as a fan writer.
Alicia met Bieber at numerous “Meet and Greets” before his shows over the years, based on social media tributes and Tombai’s own posts.
At the time of press, Justin tweeted the hashtag as a poignant top post on his timeline. It has received over 60,000 retweets, and counting. His account is also now following Alicia’s Twitter account.
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) July 6, 2014
Alfredo Flores, videographer and close pal of Bieber, also added his voice to the outpouring, and tweeted of Alicia:
RIP Alicia. I remember her coming to so many shows, always filled with energy. Beautiful spirit. My prayers are with her friends & family.
— Alfredo Flores (@AlfredoFlores) July 6, 2014
Don’t take life for granted. It’s way too short. Today, heaven gained an angel. #RIPAlicia
— Alfredo Flores (@AlfredoFlores) July 6, 2014
#RipAlicia pic.twitter.com/X6mfuQ5ioo
— WeknowtheDJ (@weknowthedj) July 5, 2014
Update: Three days after this article was posted, Justin posted a fuller Instagram message attached to a collage of himself with Alicia, writing:
“I heard about Alicia’s passing this weekend. My heart goes out to her family and loved ones.I remember meeting Alicia a few times at my M&G’s. She did so much for the Belieber family and I will always love her for that. God is great and I know he will take Alicia into his arms and make sure she is happy so she can also watch over us. I love you Alicia. – Justin.”
According to Alicia’s friend Taylor Vecchia, who attended the funeral, Bieber sent a generous gift of 100 purple roses and an “One Less Lonely Girl” crown along with a message to her family.
Justin sent a message for Alicia & her family along with 100 purple roses and a OLLG crown #RIPAlicia pic.twitter.com/rxpisIJkq2
— Taylor Vecchia (@TaylorVecchia) July 9, 2014
According to the Poughkeepsie Journal, which originally reported the story, charges will be pressed against one or more of the drivers involved in the accident, although no details have yet emerged.
“There are going to be pending charges but until people are released from the hospital — no one is in custody,” state police Investigator David Burns of Troop G told the Journal.
As well as acknowledging Alicia’s tragic death, Justin previously publicly mourned the death of Avalanna Routh, the 6-year-old fan who died from atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, a rare form of brain cancer in September 2012 and was widely known as “Mrs. Bieber.”
In a 2013 tribute, Avalanna’s mother, Aileen Routh, said of her daughter’s relationship with Bieber:
“One of her greatest adventures was meeting Justin Bieber. In typical Avalanna fashion, she was completely unfazed by Justin’s fame.”
“She fell in love with a cute boy who was mesmerized by our girl because she radiated life, love, laughter and so much mischief. She was the light of our lives and still shines so bright.”
In addition to the many special needs fans Bieber has connected with over the years, back in December the then 19-year-old performed a special VEVO acoustic show for Kate O’Neill, an Australian car crash survivor.
RIP Alicia Tombai.
[Images via Facebook/Gossip Cop.]
