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Initially, Hay faced charges of DUI, leaving the scene of an accident causing over $1,500 in property damage, and possession of an open alcohol container following the crash on December 10, 2025. After Nichols’ death two days later, authorities issued a warrant for her arrest on the more serious vehicular homicide charge.
During the investigation, the Goodlettsville Police Department released a photo of Hay, 38, clad in a black-and-white prison jumpsuit on December 18 as the search continued. She was eventually booked into the Osage County Jail on December 19, according to jail records.
Law enforcement credited citizen tips, including some from the social media platform TikTok, for helping locate Hay after the “Be On the Lookout” (BOLO) alert circulated online.
Hay’s run-ins with the law are not new. In 2017, she was convicted of driving under the influence in Davidson County and was still on probation for that offense at the time of her 2025 arrest. In August 2022, she pleaded guilty to another charge and was sentenced to six months in jail, which she served. Her sentence also included a mental health evaluation and participation in an intensive outpatient program.
Before her legal troubles, Hay made a name for herself on national television. She appeared on season 10 of The Voice in 2016 after failing four previous audition attempts. During her blind audition, she performed Gretchen Wilson’s hit “Redneck Woman,” impressing all three judges and securing a spot on Christina Aguilera’s team.
Hay went on to advance through the battle rounds, defeating Chelsea Gann, and the knockout rounds, beating Joe Maye, reaching the Top 20. However, her journey ended in the live playoffs on April 11, 2016, after performing Aretha Franklin’s classic “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”
The arrest of a former reality TV star in connection with a deadly crash has sent shockwaves through both local Tennessee communities and online fan circles. As authorities continue their investigation, the tragic death of Gayle Nichols highlights the dangers of impaired driving and the consequences of repeated offenses.
