One Tree Hill’s Bevin Prince says Hilarie Burton drove for hours to comfort her when her husband died

Bevin Prince expressed her gratitude for her One Tree Hill co-star Hilarie Burton after comforting her in a time of need.

During the podcast 1on1 with Jon Evans, the 40-year-old actress and former MTV VJ, also 40, said he was driving overnight to be with her when her husband died suddenly.

“When Hilarie found out that my husband was over, Hilarie got into her car and drove straight to my house overnight,” she recalls.

Appreciative: Bevin Prince expressed his gratitude to One Tree Hill co-star Hilarie Burton after comforting her in a time of need

Bevin’s husband, William Friend, died at the age of 33 after being struck by lightning off the coast of North Carolina in July.

Burton drove almost 700 miles from upstate New York to reach Prince in Wilmington, North Carolina.

“She showed up at my door and was like, ‘Okay, what can I do?’ And she sat with me and she just showed me once again what a special person she is.”

She added: “Your intention of being there was just to help in any way you could. It wasn’t, “Look at how good I am. Look what I do for you.’ And I’m just eternally grateful.’

Great Boyfriend: “Hilarie got in her car when she found out my husband was over and drove straight to my house overnight,” Bevin said; seen in 2019

Bewin said: ‘[Hilarie’s] The intention of being there was just to help in any way we could. It wasn’t, “Look at how good I am. Look at what I’m doing for you.’ And I’m just infinitely grateful’; Prince and Friend seen in 2020

According to WECT News, Friend was with friends on a boat off Masonboro Island near Wilmington when he was attacked.

Rescue workers attempted to revive him, but he was pronounced dead in the ambulance, the outlet reported. His death came just a week before his 34th birthday.

“In my eyes there was absolutely nothing that could have been done. And I have to accept that this is bigger than me and my understanding at this point,” Prince said of dealing with the loss.

Prince, who played cheerleader Bevin Mirskey on One Tree Hill from 2004 to 2012, married Friend in 2016 and they celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary on May 21.

Carefree: In a post by Prince, a friend is pictured having a beer and driving a boat in 2020. It is not clear if he was struck by lightning on the same ship

Known For: Prince played famous cheerleader Bevin Mirskey on the hit CW series One Tree Hill and played the role for eight years between 2004 and 2012

It was the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit and the Wilmington Police Department Marine Unit that responded to the incident on Sunday after officers were stopped by civilians.

Deputies reached Friend and performed CPR on him while he was en route to Bradley Creek Marina to meet with emergency services.

After Friend was taken to an ambulance, paramedics “attempted to revive him for 20 minutes” before pronouncing him dead.

The friend’s body was then transported to a local hospital, where EMS met with his family.

Prince and Friend relocated from New York City to Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina amid the COVID pandemic to be closer to their family.

Prince’s best friend Odette Annable paid tribute to the actress’ late husband in a post shared to Instagram on Wednesday.

Pictured: Bevin Prince (left) can be seen in an Instagram post with her husband William Friend

“The unimaginable has happened and we have to say goodbye to another friend @britwilliam. My best friend @bevinaprince beloved husband.

“Will feels surreal writing that,” the You Again star began, accompanying a snap of Friend.

She continued, “Mainly because it feels like you’ve just started. The life and love you gave my best friend made it feel good that we were thousands of miles apart.

“As I sit in your beautiful home and gaze out to sea, I keep thinking about what a gift you gave Bevin.

“What a gift you gave to everyone who knew you, to witness the passion that burned in your soul.

“A passion for helping people build their businesses, finding happiness like I’ve never seen you do while living in North Carolina with Bevin.”

She described Friend as “perfect in every way” for Prince and that he always “supported her dreams” and “adored her with every bit of his soul.”

Odette said she was dating Prince at the time of writing the post and had “heard their stories told about you and your love breaks my heart for her because she lost the love of her life and she really really lost the world.” Well.’

Out of nowhere: According to WECT News, 33-year-old William Friend was with friends on a boat near Masonboro Island on Sunday, July 3 when he was attacked; Prince seen in February

Response: Police are pictured at the scene after being alerted to the tragedy by onlookers

She continued, “I know you will still be with her and your beautiful brothers and family, the Prince family, and we will all feel you spreading your light and beauty through all those who have happiness had to know you.

“At just 33 years old you made it and walked out radiant like no one else. May you rest in peace you charming, funny, beautiful Brit who loved the shit of America. I love you,” Odette wrote.

She ended the lengthy tribute by encouraging her “friends and family on social media” to donate to multiple causes that Friend “believed with his heart.”

“One of them is the business @recessbybevinprince he built with his wife and my best friend @bevinaprince.

“Bevin and the women at her company have worked so hard to keep this dream going and all he could have wished for was for them to continue to be successful,” Odette wrote.

Tribute: Prince’s best friend Odette Annable paid tribute to the actress’ late husband in a post shared to Instagram on Wednesday

Donations also go to the Special Operators Transition Foundation, founded by distinguished combat veteran Robert J. O’Neill and dedicated to supporting Special Operations heroes and their families

Odette included a link to a GoFundMe page started by a member of the Prince family who has since raised over $34,000 of his $50,000 goal.

“Thank you for all of your support during this time. Love you all,” the House star concluded.

Passion Project: He and his wife founded the outdoor cycling studio Recess by Bevin Prince in Wilmington in November 2020 after relocating to North Carolina from New York amid the COVID-19 pandemic