Haley Smith, a former contestant on American Idol, has died in a motorcycle crash, aged 26.
The aspiring singer was involved in a single-vehicle accident in Maine at 2am local time and was pronounced dead at the scene.
An investigation into the incident is pending, but Millinocket Police Department said: “It would appear initially that she failed to negotiate a sharp turn and crashed.”
Smith’s father told TMZthat his daughter was an experienced motorcyclist and that he believes a deer caused the crash.
Smith appeared on the US talent show in 2012 and sailed through the first round of auditions after impressing judges with a performance of Rufus and Chaka Khan song “Tell Me Something Good”. She was 18 at the time.
The panel for that season – the singing competition’s 11th – included Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler.
“I love your voice so much. You’re right out of my era and I’m honoured to be here listening to your voice,” Tyler told Smith.
Smith failed to make it through to the live shows after being sent home in the second round of auditions.
