Conner Smith Breaks His Silence, Releases First Statement Since Fatal Accident

Breaking his silence.

Last month, country singer Conner Smith was involved in a fatal accident on the last day of CMA Fest when he struck a pedestrian with his truck near downtown Nashville.

According to law enforcement, Smith was heading north on 3rd Avenue in his Chevy Silverado as 77-year-old Dorothy Dobbins was attempting to cross the street.

Nashville authorities have reported that Dobbins – who was a local resident of Nashville – was in a marked crosswalk when she was tragically hit around 7:30 PM. First responders rushed to the scene following the incident, and the 77-year-old Nashvillian was transported to the nearby Vanderbilt Medical Center. She unfortunately succumbed to her injuries and was officially pronounced dead at the hospital.

Early reports suggest that Dorothy Dobbins had the right of way in the crosswalk, and that Smith failed to yield to her in his Chevrolet Silverado. Importantly, the police say that Conner Smith did not show any signs of impairment immediately after the crash, nor was he using his cell phone as he was driving. Witnesses also say that Smith rushed to help Dobbins after the accident.

Since the accident, Smith has (understandably) taken some time off, canceling his scheduled shows and staying out of the spotlight. But today, he released his first statement since the fatal incident.

In a statement posted to his Instagram, Smith expressed his continued prayers for the family of Dobbins, and said that he’s relied on his faith to get him through the tough times:

“Four weeks ago, I was involved in a tragic accident that resulted in the loss of a life. Not a day has gone by that I haven’t grieved, prayed, and mourned for Ms. Dobbins and her family. My heart is broken in a way I’ve never experienced, and I still struggle to fully process the weight of it all.

I ask that you continue to lift the Dobbins family up in prayer by name, asking for God’s peace to surround them each day.

Out of respect for everyone involved and to give space for grieving, I made the decision to step away from shows these past few weeks. I have always found that making music and playing shows is a place of healing for me – but for this moment, it was important for me to take time away.

I’m thankful to serve a God who is near to the brokenhearted, and I have leaned on Him every step of the way. Through tragedy, I have learned that God is more faithful than I could have ever known before.”

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A post shared by Conner Smith (@connersmithmusic)

Last night, Smith was issued a misdemeanor citation for failure to yield the right of way resulting in death. The charge is a Class A misdemeanor in Tennessee, meaning Smith could face up to a year in jail, a fine of up to $2,500, or both, though jail time in this case seems unlikely.

In a statement after the charges, Smith’s attorney Worrick Robinson IV (who, coincidentally, also represented Morgan Wallen in his chair-throwing charges last year), said that the country star remains cooperative and hopes to use the tragic accident as an opportunity to improve pedestrian safety:

“Conner is incredibly grateful to the MNPD for their time and efforts to carefully investigate this tragic accident and has continued to cooperate at all times. His thoughts remain with Ms. Dobbins’ family, and he remains committed to honoring her memory by supporting pedestrian safety efforts.”

Nashville has already installed new “Yield to Crosswalk” signs in the intersection where Dobbins lost her life, and also removed a tree that had previously blocked visibility for drivers and pedestrians.

Smith, who is signed to Big Machine Records, rose in the country music ranks largely thanks to TikTok. His song “I Hate Alabama” went viral a couple of years ago, and fans might also recognize his hit song “Creek Will Rise,” or his Tennessee anthem “Orange and White.” He also released his debut album Smoky Mountains in January 2024.The post Conner Smith Breaks His Silence, Releases First Statement Since Fatal Accident first appeared on Whiskey Riff.