Philadelphia

'American Idol' Hopeful Dies in Rollover Crash on I-95 Soon After Pennsylvania Audition

One "American Idol" hopeful died and five other young people returning from the reality show audition were injured in a one-vehicle crash on Interstate 95 in suburban Philadelphia, police said. 

The crash occurred shortly before 6:45 p.m. Sunday in Lower Makefield Township when a 17-year-old girl lost control of a 2003 Jeep Liberty while trying to pass another vehicle in the northbound lanes, said Pennsylvania State Police.

The SUV was traveling home to North Jersey from attending American Idol auditions held at Temple University's Liacouras Center in Philadelphia. Witnesses told police the SUV carrying the group was "flying" at high speeds when it flipped and rolled over. Three passengers were ejected from the vehicle.

Natasha Bellott, who just turned 20, of Bloomfield, New Jersey, died a short time after the crash at a nearby hospital, said state police.

The other occupants of the SUV ranged in age from 16 to 24 and all hail from North Jersey, were taken to hospitals in Bucks County and Trenton.. One passenger suffered a head injury and fractured ribs while the other four occupants suffered non-life-threatening injuries, said police.

Police said the woman killed still had her "American Idol" ticket in her pocket.

NBC10 in Philadelphia has reached out to "Idol" for comment.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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