Dylan Carter, a 24-year-old contestant on The Voice, died as a result of blunt force injuries sustained in a car crash in his native South Carolina on Saturday night, authorities have confirmed.
The vocalist was driving a 2026 Tesla sedan when he ran off the road, struck a utility pole and a fence, and flipped the vehicle, local police told the Daily Mail. The Colleton County coroner subsequently deemed the incident accidental, according to TMZ.
Carter, who was wearing a seatbelt, was the sole occupant of the vehicle, the coroner's report stated. He was driving south on US-21, known locally as Lowcountry Highway, around 11:22 pm when he veered to the right in the small town of Smoaks, jumped the curb, and hit the pole and fence.
Emergency services found Carter inside the car and rushed him to a hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries, said South Carolina Highway Patrol corporal Nick Pye. The Tesla, which ranges in price from $50,000 to $100,000, did not burst into flames after the crash.
Carter was scheduled to perform at the 'Music on Main' festival in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, on Monday night, but the event was canceled following his death. He was mourned by peers, friends, and local officials.
Tributes Pour In
Reba McEntire, Carter's mentor on The Voice, paid tribute on Instagram Stories, saying, 'We will miss Dylan so much.' She called him 'a brilliant, kind and talented young man who brought a huge ray of sunshine to The Voice' and ended with, 'Rest in peace, my dear friend.'
The NBC series stated on social media, 'The Voice family is deeply saddened by the passing of Dylan Carter, a remarkable talent whose joy and light were felt by those around him on set. Our condolences are with his family, friends and community. He will be missed.'
Thomas Hamilton Jr., mayor of Moncks Corner, where Carter was from, posted on Facebook: '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.'
Charity Work and Legacy
The Local Voice, a non-profit Carter co-founded that supports women fighting breast cancer, confirmed his death. 'Dylan was the heart of what we do. He believed every voice matters and lived that every day. Through his music, his kindness, and his smile, he brought people together and made everyone feel seen,' the organization said.
A proud Lowcountry native, Carter also owned Sunny Days RV & Campground and worked as a realtor. The Local Voice spokesperson said he 'used his voice as a way to reach people and give back' and had a 'genuine heart for helping others.' The charity will continue to honor his mission.
His Journey on The Voice
Carter gained recognition as a contestant on season 24 of The Voice in 2023. His blind audition earned him four chair turns from judges Reba McEntire, Niall Horan, John Legend, and Gwen Stefani. He sang Whitney Houston's classic 'I Look to You,' a tribute to his late mother Julie, who died in 2022.
On the show, McEntire fought back tears as she told him, 'So much emotion, and I saw it and I felt it when you were singing. That's the kind of songs that do that to me too. To me, as a performer, that's when you really hone in on why you're put on this Earth, when you touch people's hearts, and you did.'
Carter chose McEntire as his mentor, saying, 'Something told me to go with Reba. She could be a comforting mom figure for me.' His run ended in the Battle Rounds on October 31, 2023, but he continued performing and supporting charitable events.
