This unfortunate incident has left the community mourning the loss of James Mcpheron and has deeply affected Alex Miller and his bandmates. The investigation by the Kentucky State Police will shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Alex Miller Remember’s Victim
An “American Idol” alum is sharing his condolences for the victim of a fatal car crash in which he was a passenger. Country singer Alex Miller, a Season 19 contestant, was not driving either of the vehicles involved in the crash after returning from a vacation on Tuesday.
In a statement shared on his social media pages, Miller, 20, said he and members of his band were on a tour bus when it was hit by a car, the driver of which died as a result of the crash. “Alex sends his thoughts and prayers to the gentleman and his family,” the statement read. “No one on the bus was injured.”
Kentucky State Police are investigating the incident, which occurred at 10:28 p.m. on Tuesday in Rockcastle County — in southeastern Kentucky, almost 50 miles outside of Lexington — according to a statement shared on the department’s website.
American Idol Alum Alex Miller Involved In a Fatal Accident
The driver of a Toyota Rav4, 53-year-old James Mcpheron of Mount Vernon, Kentucky, lost control of his car when he swerved into the path of a tour bus, driven by 43-year-old Roger Miller of Lancaster, Kentucky. McPheron was transported to a hospital after the crash, where he died.
Alex Miller appeared on “American Idol” Season 19 in 2021 and made it into the season’s “Hollywood Week” but did not make it to the top 24. Chayce Beckham, a fellow country singer, would eventually be named the season’s winner.
Alex Miller, an up-and-coming country star and former Season 19 contestant on “American Idol,” was involved in a fatal crash in Kentucky on Tuesday when a car plowed into a bus carrying the singer and several members of his band.
The driver of a Toyota Rav4, 53-year-old James Mcpheron of Mount Vernon, Ky., died.
“While traveling back from a vacation last night, rising country star Alex Miller and several members of his band were on a bus that was hit by a car,” a statement shared on Miller’s Instagram read on Wednesday. “Sadly, the driver of the car is deceased.”
“Alex sends his thoughts and prayers to the gentleman and his family,” the statement continued. “No one on the bus was injured. Kentucky State Police are investigating.”
According to the manager, “the car glanced off the bus and went approximately 250 feet beyond the impact.”
The manager stated that Miller and his bandmates were also forced to exit their vehicle through a window as the incoming car had cracked the bus’s door.
“It was a very, very, very unfortunate situation,” the rep said sadly. “It’s just horrible.”
Miller’s manager told People that his client is “very sorry that the driver of the car is deceased.”
Following the incident, the Kentucky State Police released their own statement.
“On February 13, 2024, the Kentucky State Police, Post 11 London investigated a two-vehicle fatal collision that occurred approximately 10:28 pm in Rockcastle County on South Wildness Road,” the press release read.
“The preliminary investigation indicates a 2004 Toyota Rav4, operated by James M. Mcpheron, 53 years old of Mount Vernon, KY, was traveling westbound on South Wildness Road when he lost control of his vehicle and veered into the path of a 1997 Vanhool (Tour Bus),” it stated. “The Bus was operated by Roger D. Miller 43 years old of Lancaster, Ky.”
According to the report, “Mr. Mcpheron was transported by Rockcastle EMS to the Rockcastle Regional Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by the Rockcastle County Coroner.”