'American Idol' Contestant Alexis Cohen Killed in Hit and Run

July 27, 2009 — -- Another tragedy has befallen a former "American Idol" hopeful.

Authorities said Alexis Cohen, who tried out twice for the Fox reality competition, was struck and killed by a car early Saturday in Seaside Heights, N.J.

Deputy Chief Michael Mohel of the Ocean County Prosecutors Office said an autopsy indicated the 25-year-old Allentown, Pa., native suffered chest, head and abdominal injuries.

Monday, authorities arrested 23-year-old Daniel Bark from Toms River, N.J., on charges of reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident.

Cohen auditioned in Philadelphia for "American Idol" in August 2007. The episode featuring her enraged rant after being rejected by the judges aired in January 2008.

After judge Simon Cowell called Cohen's rendition of Grace Slick's "Somebody to Love" "possessed" and suggested she looked like actor Willem Defoe, Cohen went ballistic, calling Cowell an "egotistical f**k," saying he would be sorry when she made it big. She then flipped off the cameras that followed her out of auditions.

Before her audition, "American Idol" included footage of Cohen describing her '60s style that earned her the nickname "glitter girl."

"I march to the beat of a different drummer," she said. "I like the fact that people look at me like I have 12 heads."

Cohen returned to "Idol" auditions the following season saying she had turned over a new leaf but again lost it when she was denied by the judges a second time.