More details have come out concerning the death of two-time American Idol wannabe Alexis Cohen, who died over the weekend after being struck by a car in New Jersey.  Earlier, it was reported that a man, Daniel Bark, was arrested in connection with the death.  And, it seems, sometimes, bad things happen when you're in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Further investigation now reveals that Bark got involved in the hit-and-run after trying to escape police from another accident.  Ocean County prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford told The Star-Ledger that Bark was apprehended by a police officer at shortly before 4am last Saturday, when he hit a parked car near a bar.  However, the suspect fled, and ended up hitting Cohen.



Instead of stopping, authorities said Bark continued to flee until police officers intercepted him in the town of Toms River.  They say, however, that they were not pursuing Bark because of the hit-and-run, and were not aware of it ever happening.  He was initially slapped with a drunk driving charge after refusing a Breathalyzer test, but was released at 7am that day, without being able to connect his involvement with Cohen's death, which happened roughly an hour before.  He was previously charged with drunk driving in 2004.

He was eventually arrested again Sunday night.  Initially charged with leaving the scene of the accident, the prosecutor's office upgraded the charges to include aggravated manslaughter, among others.  Bail was increased to $150,000 from the earlier amount of $35,000.  Bark's attorney says he is distraught, having a difficult time comprehending his involvement with Cohen's death, and is apparently in suicide watch at jail.

Cohen's mother, Mindy Dallow, said her daughter was trying to get something to eat when the accident occurred.  She added that she auditioned for a third time last month, and was preparing for a callback, before dying of multiple injuries.

Tributes have poured in for Cohen from fans, who have established online memorials, and from those involved with American Idol.  Paula Abdul and Ryan Seacrest both have written messages of condolences to her family on their respective Twitter pages.


- Henrik Batallones, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Sources: The Star-Ledger, Sky News
(Image courtesy of AP)