The former singing hopeful died at 26 years old in a one-vehicle accident in Millinocket, Maine on Saturday, August 31, her family and police have confirmed.
- Sep 4, 2019
AceShowbiz - Former "American Idol" contestant Haley Smith has tragically passed away in a motorcycle accident. The singer died at 26 years old after she crashed her motorcycle on Medway Road in Millinocket, Maine on Saturday morning, August 31.
Police confirm that officers responded to the single-vehicle accident at 2 A.M. on Saturday. "It would appear initially that she failed to negotiate a sharp turn and crashed," Millinocket Chief of Police Craig Worster says in a statement. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sharing more details of the accident, her father tells TMZ that Hailey was riding on a country road and her family believes that a deer caused the accident. He implies that Hailey was a good rider and doesn't believe that she would simply lose control of her motorcycle.
An investigation into the accident is currently pending.
Following the sad news, "American Idol" says in a statement to mourn the death, "We are sorry to hear of the passing of Haley Smith and our thoughts and prayers are with her family."
Hailey competed in season 11 of "American Idol" which aired in 2012. She was just 18 years old at the time and was described as a house cleaner, busser and meat packer.
During her audition, she performed a cover of Rufus and Chaka Khan's "Tell Me Something Good" before judges Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson. "I love your voice so much," Steven raved after her performance. "You're right out of my era and I'm honored to be here listening to your voice."
Randy also gushed, "I just love the commitment to you just being who you are and just the natural gift. We always say to people, 'Make it your own. You don't need to sound like the record' and you were definitely doing your own thing."
Hailey earned a ticket to Hollywood, but didn't make it beyond the second Hollywood round.
