'Top Chef' contestant Aaron Grissom dies at 34 from traffic accident

Chef Aaron Grissom, who competed on the 12th season of "Top Chef," has died.

The Pierce County medical examiner confirmed to USA TODAY that Grissom died Tuesday after suffering "multiple blunt force injuries" during a traffic accident in Washington state.

The Washington native was 34.

Grissom competed on Bravo's "Top Chef: Boston" in 2014. He won one elimination challenge before finishing in 11th place. Grissom also appeared on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives."

"Bravo and the Top Chef family are saddened to learn about the passing of Chef Aaron Grissom from Season 12: Boston," Bravo said in a statement to USA TODAY. "Our deepest sympathy goes out to his family and friends."

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According to his "Top Chef" bio, Grissom believed "cooking is something that all people share" regardless of "ethnicity, culture or heritage." He had a passion for "Asian and new American cuisine."

Host Padma Lakshmi also sent her condolences.

"I am very saddened by the loss of one of our Top Chef alumni. My sincere condolences to his family and loved ones at this time," she said in a statement to USA TODAY.

Grissom is the latest loss for the "Top Chef" family.

In March, revolutionary chef Floyd Cardoz, who won Season 3 of "Top Chef Masters, died from COVID-19 at age 59. In 2019, fan favorite Fatima Ali died after a bout with a rare form of bone cancer called Ewing's Sarcoma. She was 29.

'Top Chef Masters' star Floyd Cardoz dies of coronavirus at 59; Padma Lakshmi, others mourn

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Top Chef' contestant Aaron Grissom dies at 34 from traffic accident