Full Breakdown
Dylan Carter’s Fatal Car Crash Shocks *The Voice* and South Carolina Community
4/29/2026, 10:10:36 PM
The Incident: What Happened on April 25
On Saturday night, April 25, at about 11:22 p.m., Dylan Carter—aged 23 or 24—was the sole occupant of a 2026 Tesla sedan traveling south on U.S. Route 21 in Colleton County, South Carolina. The South Carolina Highway Patrol reported the vehicle left the roadway, struck a curb, a utility pole and a fence, then overturned. Carter was taken to a local hospital where he later died of blunt-force injuries. The crash remains under investigation.
Background & Context
Carter rose to national attention in 2023 when his blind audition of Whitney Houston’s “I Look to You” earned a four-chair turn from coaches Reba McEntire, Gwen Stefani, John Legend and Niall Horan on *The Voice* Season 24. He chose Team McEntire, advanced to the Battle Rounds, and was eliminated thereafter. Outside of music, Carter was a licensed realtor with Carolina Properties, co-owner of Sunny Days RV & Campground, and co-founder of The Local Voice, a nonprofit supporting women battling breast cancer. He was also an active member of St. George Methodist Church.
Timeline of Key Events
- April 25, 2024/2026 – Crash occurs; Carter pronounced dead at a hospital.
- April 26 – Moncks Corner Mayor Thomas Hamilton Jr. posts a condolence statement on Facebook.
- April 27 – Reba McEntire shares a tribute on Instagram.
- May 2 – Funeral services scheduled for 11 a.m. at Indian Field Campground.
Official Statements & Responses
- “The driver was the only occupant, was wearing a seatbelt, and the vehicle left the roadway, struck a curb, a utility pole and a fence before overturning. The driver died later at a local hospital. The death was ruled accidental and the investigation remains ongoing.” — Corporal Nick Pye, South Carolina Highway Patrol
- “The cause of death was blunt-force injuries sustained in the crash.” — Richard M. Harvey, Coroner, Colleton County
- “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.” — Thomas Hamilton Jr., Mayor of Moncks Corner
- “With heavy hearts we share the passing of Dylan Carter, co-founder of The Local Voice, talented musician, and someone who meant so much to our community.” — The Local Voice (nonprofit)
Verbatim Quotes
- “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.” — Reba McEntire, Country Singer & *The Voice* Coach
- “100% pure light” — Jordan Rainer, Family Friend & Former Team Reba Contestant
- “After turning four chairs on The Voice and choosing Reba as my coach, I have decided to chase a music career and become known as a realtor by day and singer/songwriter by night!” — Dylan Carter, Realtor Biography
- “When y’all four turned around for me, I gained so much confidence that I needed, and I felt my mom for the first time in a long time. I’m gonna keep chasing my dreams, keep chasing her dreams.” — Dylan Carter, Battle-Rounds Statement
- “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.” — Reba McEntire, *The Voice* Coach
Data & Statistics
- Age reported: 23 (several sources) vs. 24 (others)
- Crash time: ~11:22 p.m. on April 25
- Location: U.S. Route 21, Colleton County, SC
- Vehicle: 2026 Tesla sedan, driver alone, seatbelt worn
- Cause of death: blunt-force trauma, ruled accidental
- Four coaches turned chairs during audition
- *The Voice* Season 24 aired in 2023; Carter was 20 at audition
- Funeral: May 2, 2026 at Indian Field Campground
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Carter’s age (23 vs. 24) and the year of the crash (some imply 2024, while one source lists April 25, 2026). The vehicle’s model year (2026 Tesla) may have contributed to the confusion. No source confirms involvement of any other vehicle, and the investigation remains open.
Impact and Legacy
Carter’s death prompted an outpouring of grief from *The Voice* alumni, local officials, and fans. Moncks Corner cancelled the scheduled “Music on Main” performance, and The Local Voice announced plans for memorial tree plantings. His dual career in music and real estate, combined with his nonprofit work, left a multifaceted legacy in both the entertainment world and his South Carolina community.
What’s Next
Funeral services will be held on May 2, and The Local Voice encourages supporters to plant trees in his memory. *The Voice* may honor Carter in upcoming episodes, while local organizations continue to celebrate his contributions through tributes and community events.
