Jesus, Take the Wheel,’ Dies in North Carolina Plane Crash

Grammy-Winning Songwriter Brett James, Known for ‘Jesus, Take the Wheel,’ Dies in North Carolina Plane Crash

Who was Brett James

Brett James (full name Brett James Cornelius), aged 57. 

A Grammy‑winning country songwriter, known especially for writing “Jesus, Take the Wheel” (Carrie Underwood).

Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020

What happened (the crash)

Brett James died in a small‑engine plane crash on Thursday, September 18, 2025, in Macon County near Franklin, North Carolina. 

The aircraft was a Cirrus SR22T, registered under his name. 

The plane crashed into a field near Iotla Valley Elementary School.

Departure was from John C. Tune Airport, Nashville.

There were three people aboard; no one survived.

Aftermath & response

The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) are investigating. 

Fortunately, no one at the school was harmed.

Many artists and organizations have paid tribute. For example, ASCAP called him “a trusted collaborator to country’s greatest names.” Dierks Bentley called him “a total legend.”