Dylan Carter, the singer who captured hearts across America when all four coaches turned their chairs during his “The Voice” audition in 2023, has died following a single-vehicle crash in South Carolina. He was 23.
Carter died following a crash late on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Colleton County, South Carolina, after the 2026 Tesla sedan he was driving veered off the road and rolled over. His death was confirmed by The Local Voice, the nonprofit he co-founded to support women battling breast cancer, and has prompted an outpouring of grief from his Lowcountry community and former “Voice” coach Reba McEntire.
Details Of The Fatal Crash
According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at approximately 11:22 p.m. local time near the intersection of Lowcountry Highway and Smoaks. Authorities said that Carter’s vehicle was traveling southbound on U.S. Route 21 when it left the roadway, striking a curb, a utility pole, and a fence before overturning.
Carter, who was the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Colleton County coroner determined Carter died of blunt-force injuries sustained in the crash and ruled his death accidental. The incident remains under investigation.
An Unforgettable Voice Audition
Carter rose to national prominence in 2023 when he appeared on Season 24 of NBC’s “The Voice.” Then just 20 years old, the South Carolina native delivered a haunting rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Look to You” that brought all four coaches, Reba McEntire, Gwen Stefani, John Legend and Niall Horan, to spin their chairs in unison.
The performance carried profound personal weight. Carter’s mother had died the previous year, and his audition was a tribute to her memory. He told the coaches that “I Look to You” was the song his mother had wanted him to sing at her funeral, a song he tried to perform as he laid her to rest, but couldn’t make it through.
“When I saw y’all turn around, I saw my mom,” Carter told the coaches in an emotional moment that moved McEntire to tears. He added that he hadn’t been able to finish the song at her funeral, calling the audition “the best second chance.”
Carter chose McEntire as his coach, citing her as a “comforting mom figure.” He was eliminated during the Battle Rounds after performing Cody Johnson’s “‘Til You Can’t” in a duet with teammate Tom Nitti. McEntire chose to advance Nitti to the Knockouts.
Reba McEntire And Mayor Pay Tribute
McEntire shared her grief on her Instagram story on Sunday, April 27, writing: “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. Rest in peace, my dear friend.”
Thomas Hamilton Jr., the mayor of Moncks Corner, where Carter was scheduled to headline a “Music on Main” concert on April 27, posted a heartfelt tribute on Facebook. The Monday night event was canceled following news of his death.
A Lowcountry Native Giving Back
Raised in St. George, South Carolina, Carter was repeatedly described by those who knew him as a “proud Lowcountry native.” Beyond his music career, he wore many hats: he worked as a realtor and was the co-owner of Sunny Days RV & Campground.
In 2024, Carter co-founded The Local Voice, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting women battling breast cancer. The mission was deeply personal — a continuation of the bond that had defined his “Voice” journey and shaped his life after his mother’s death.
The nonprofit added that the community took comfort “knowing he is in heaven with his mother,” promising to “carry his light forward and continue this mission in his honor.”
During his time on “The Voice,” Carter reflected on what the experience meant to him after the blind audition that nearly broke him with grief. “This was the best second chance,” he said. “I just made her so proud.” Information on survivors was not immediately available.