NJ man charged in 'American Idol' contestant death

FILE - In this undated image released by FOX, 'American Idol' contestant Alexis Cohen, 23, of Allentown, Pa., performs in front of the judges during tryouts for the program's seventh season in Philadelphia. Authorities say the 25-year-old former contestant on 'American Idol' has been struck and killed by a car in a Jersey shore town. The Asbury Park Press reports that Alexis Cohen, of Allentown, Pa., was killed early Saturday July 25, 2009 in Seaside Heights New Jersey. [Agencies]

TOMS RIVER, N.J. – A man has been charged with drunken driving following a New Jersey shore car accident that killed an "American Idol" contestant whose angry rejection rant became an Internet sensation.

Daniel Bark appeared Monday in state Superior Court on charges of reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident. Prosecutors say the charges have been upgraded to aggravated manslaughter and drunken driving.

Defense attorney David Glassman says Bark and his family are distraught over the death of former "Idol" singer Alexis Cohen.

Cohen was struck by a vehicle Saturday in the tiny shore town Seaside Heights. The 24-year-old Allentown, Pa., resident is best known for the Internet viral video of her tirade after being rejected by judges during the top-rated Fox show's seventh season.