Country Singer Conner Smith Strikes and Kills Woman, 77, in Alleged Crosswalk Car Accident

An attorney for Smith says he "continues to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation"

NEED TO KNOW

  • Singer Conner Smith was driving a pickup truck when he allegedly struck and killed a woman on June 8
  • The woman, 77-year-old Dorothy Dobbins, was taken to the hospital, where she died
  • Police said there are no charges at present against Smith

Country singer Conner Smith was involved in a fatal car accident in Nashville over the weekend, as he allegedly struck and killed a woman walking in a crosswalk.

Smith, 24, was driving a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck on Sunday, June 8 when he hit Dorothy Dobbins, 77, as she crossed the roadway inside a marked crosswalk, according to a release shared by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.

Dobbins, who police said lived near the scene, was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where she later died.

“The preliminary contributing factor for this crash appears to be Smith failing to yield the right of way to the pedestrian,” the release said. “He showed no signs of impairment.”

An investigation into the accident is ongoing, and there are no charges “at present” against Smith, police said.

Conner Smith at Media Row ahead of the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards held at Ford Center at The Star on May 15, 2024 in Frisco, Texas.
Conner Smith at the ACM Awards in Texas in May 2024.

Gilbert Flores/Penske Media via Getty

In a statement shared with PEOPLE, Smith’s attorney confirmed the “Creek Will Rise” singer was “involved in a car accident that tragically claimed a life.”

“His heart goes out to Ms. Dobbins’ family during this incredibly difficult time,” the statement said. “Mr. Smith continues to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.”

A source adds that the incident was an accident, and that Smith was neither under the influence nor distracted by his phone.

Conner Smith attends the Big Machine Label Group celebration of the 58th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville at The Bell Tower on November 20, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Conner Smith in Nashville in November 2024.

Jason Davis/Getty for BMLG

The incident took place on the final day of the annual CMA Fest, a four-day festival in Nashville that celebrates country music.

Smith, who was born and raised in Nashville, is signed to Big Machine Records’ Valory label, and released his debut album Smoky Mountains last year. He’s opened for Luke Bryan on tour, and was nominated for New Male Artist of the Year at the 2024 ACM Awards.

In April, he released the single “Country in the Clouds” with Dylan Marlowe, and is also featured on the Twisters soundtrack.

He married surfer Leah Thompson in April 2024.

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