Country music singer Conner Smith is under scrutiny after a tragic road incident in Nashville left a 77-year-old woman dead — just as the city’s beloved CMA Fest was coming to a close.
Fatal Collision on a Marked Crosswalk
On the evening of Sunday, June 8, Smith was behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck when he allegedly struck Dorothy Dobbins, who was crossing the road at a marked crosswalk.
The collision occurred at around 7:30PM on Third Avenue North near Van Buren Street, in Nashville’s Germantown neighborhood, PEOPLE reports.
Dobbins, who was walking home from a nearby dog park, was critically injured in the crash. Authorities confirmed she lived close to the scene.
She was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where she later died from her injuries.
Police Say No Charges Yet, But Investigation Ongoing
A statement from the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department reads: “The preliminary contributing factor for this crash appears to be Smith failing to yield the right of way to the pedestrian.”
The department added that Smith “showed no signs of impairment.”
As of now, no charges have been filed against the singer. The investigation remains ongoing, and Smith is said to be cooperating with authorities.
“His Heart Goes Out to Ms. Dobbins’ Family”
Smith’s attorney shared a statement with both PEOPLE and WKRN saying: “On June 8th, Mr. Smith was involved in a car accident that tragically claimed a life. His heart goes out to Ms. Dobbins’ family during this incredibly difficult time.
“Mr. Smith continues to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.”
A source close to the situation emphasized that the crash was an accident and added that Smith was neither under the influence nor distracted by his phone when the incident occurred.
A Career on the Rise Paused by Tragedy
The timing of the accident is especially notable — it happened on the final day of Nashville’s four-day CMA Fest, an annual celebration of country music that attracts tens of thousands to the city.
Smith had returned to his hometown for the event, and photos from one of his performances were posted to his official Instagram on the same day as the accident. No public statement about the incident has appeared on his social media accounts.
Smith, a Nashville native, is one of the genre’s rising stars. He’s signed to Big Machine Records’ Valory imprint and dropped his debut album Smoky Mountains in 2023. That project featured the Top 20 Billboard Country Airplay hit ‘Creek Will Rise’. Earlier this year, he was nominated for New Male Artist of the Year at the 2024 ACM Awards and even opened for country heavyweight Luke Bryan on tour.
In April, he released ‘Country in the Clouds’ with Dylan Marlowe and appeared on the Twisters movie soundtrack with the song ‘Steal My Thunder’ alongside Tucker Wetmore. That soundtrack climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard 200.
Smith also tied the knot with professional surfer Leah Thompson in April 2024.
Our thoughts go out to Dobbins’ family and loved ones at this time.
