Former American Idol contestant Haley Smith has passed away at the age of 26.
Haley died on Saturday (August 31) after crashing her motorcycle in Millinocket, Maine. The crash is being investigated.
"A female operating a motorcycle crashed on Medway Road in Millinocket, which resulted in her death," a statement from police read (via The Hollywood Reporter). "It would appear initially that she failed to negotiate a sharp turn and crashed."
Haley's father told TMZ that she may have been startled by a deer, causing her to lose control of the motorbike.
"We are sorry to hear of the passing of Haley Smith and our thoughts and prayers are with her family," American Idol's Twitter account posted.
Haley auditioned during the 11th season of American Idol in 2012, performing in front of Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler, and Jennifer Lopez. Her first audition was successful, getting yeses from all three judges and making it to the Hollywood round.
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She sang 'Tell Me Something Good' by Rufus and Chaka Khan.
"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 said on the show.
"I bet you're even more comfortable when you have a guitar or when you have music around you," Lopez added, while Jackson commented: "I just love the commitment to you being who you are and [your] natural gift."
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