Singer Dylan Carter, who competed on “The Voice” Season 24, has died.
According to South Carolina Highway Patrol, the young artist was involved in a fatal car crash that occurred late Saturday, April 25, in Colleton County at approximately 11:22 p.m local time. Police said the car involved in the crash was traveling south before running off the road and striking a curb, utility pole and fence. The vehicle then overturned.
The driver was transported to the local hospital, “where they later succumbed to their injuries,” authorities said. The collision remains under investigation.
Carter competed on the fall 2023 season of “The Voice,” singing Whitney Houston’s “I Look to You” in honor of his late mother. His blind audition earned him a four chair turn from coaches Gwen Stefani, John Legend, Niall Horan and Reba McEntire.
Following the news of his death, McEntire, who was his coach, paid tribute to the “brilliant” singer.
“We will miss Dylan so much. He was a brilliant, kind and talented young man who brought a huge ray of sunshine to The Voice,” the country singer wrote on her Instagram story April 27. “Rest in peace, my dear friend.”
Following his blind audition, McEntire told a then-20-year-old Carter that he sang with “so much emotion, and I saw it and I felt it.”
“That’s the kind of songs that do that to me too, because I saw you get so emotionally involved, and that’s when you know you’ve got a great song and a great singer, when it touches your heart,” she added.
Carter made it to the Battle rounds, getting eliminated ahead of the Knockouts.
“When y’all four turned around for me, I gained so much confidence that I needed,” Carter told the coaches as he was being eliminated. “And I felt my mom, for the first time in a long time. I’m gonna keep chasing my dreams... keep chasing her dreams.”
Aside from being a singer, Carter was a realtor and campground owner, according to his Instagram. He was also co-founder of The Local Voice, a nonprofit organization that helps the local Santee, South Carolina, community.
Thomas Hamilton Jr., the mayor of Moncks Corner, South Carolina, also spoke out following Carter’s death, saying in a statement, “Our family is heartbroken to hear about the passing of Dylan Carter in a car accident.”
“As a gifted singer, he frequently entertained our community with his performances at Town events. His kindness and charm earned him immense respect, and his absence will be deeply felt,” the statement continued. “To the loved ones and acquaintances of Dylan, we offer our sincerest condolences during this difficult period.”
He added that the town, its council and staff “extend their deepest sympathies. He was much more to our family than an entertainer he was our friend and we are deeply saddened.”
