Dawson’s Creek actor Obi Ndefo, who lost both his legs after being hit from behind by a drunk driver in a terrible accident, has died. He was 51.

Ndefo’s death was reported by several of his colleague Yale alums in social media posts on Friday, August 30th, 2024. No cause of death has been publicly revealed.

Mark C. Tafoya, New York-based restaurateur, revealed he had just been informed of the tragic passing of Ndefo.

“I’m absolutely gut-punched learning of the loss of the one of a kind Obi Ndefo. He was always kind and thoughtful, and rolled with the punches of life. He brought several of us back together in 2022 for a great mini-reunion. Such a loss!” he wrote.

Another Yale alumni, Shannon Emerick, expressed shock at news of Ndefo’s passing. Describing him a gift to the world, she also praised him for the stunning forbearance he showed after his tragic accident, retaining his sunny disposition despite suffering a tragedy that will break many others.

READ ALSO: Amanda Pales, McKinney ISD Educator Arrested for Indecent Exposure

“Just learned of the death of the extraordinary Obi Ndefo. I am stunned and very sad. He was such a gift to our world – so talented and kind – and then found a way to soar after a horrible accident took his legs a few years ago. I don’t know what happened, but my Yale classmates and I are all reeling,” she said.

Obi Ndefo, born 29 October 1972, was an American actor with Nigerian heritage. He was born in Los Angeles to Nigerian parentts.

Ndefo graduated Yale University’s school of drama in 1997 and was known for appearances in Angel, The West Wing, and Stargate SG-1. He played Drex in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager, and also played Bodie Wells on Dawson’s Creek.

In August 2019, Ndefo was hit from behind by a drunk driver in the parking lot of a health food store in Los Angeles as he was putting away his groceries. He lost his right leg in the crash and his left leg was left badly injured. Doctors ultimately had to amputate it as well.

Despite the tragedy, Ndefo rebounded and even managed to star in an episode of NCIS: Los Angeles (with Cary-Hiroyuki) in 2021. He tragically lost his life towards the end of August 2024.