‘American Idol’ Haley Smith killed in motorcycle crash
In tragic news, Haley Smith, a former American Idol contestant, has been killed in a motorcycle accident.
According to In Touch, Smith, 26, died on Aug. 31 after crashing her motorcycle on Medway Road in Millinocket, Maine, around 2 a.m. local time.
Authorities said that she failed to make a sharp turn while driving down the road, but her father, Mike Smith, told journalists that the family believes that a deer may have run out into the road in front of her, as the family claimed she is a good rider and would not have lost control of her motorcycle otherwise.
“It would appear initially that she failed to negotiate a sharp turn and crashed,” the Millinocket Police Department told PEOPLE, adding that an investigation is pending.
Smith auditioned in Colorado during season 11, when she impressed the judges with a version of the funky Rufus & Chaka Khan classic, “Tell Me Something Good.”
Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler, then a judge on the reality show, was moved by her singing. “I love your voice so much,” he enthused. “You’re right out of my era and I’m honored to be here listening to your voice.”
Despite making it to the Hollywood round, Smith was ultimately sent home.
Check out a clip below.
