On Friday, country singer Conner Smith released his first public statement since striking and killing a 77-year-old woman with his pickup truck last month in Nashville. The statement comes just a day after he received a misdemeanor citation for his role in the fatal crash.
“Four weeks ago, I was involved in a tragic vehicle 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. [Dorothy] Dobbins and her family,” Smith wrote on Instagram. “My heart is broken in a way I’ve never experienced, and I still struggle to fully process the weight of it all.”
Smith wrote that he had decided to “step away from shows” since the crash to “give space for grieving.”
“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,” Smith wrote. “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.”
On Thursday, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department issued a misdemeanor state citation on the singer, his attorney confirmed to People, adding that the singer had “continued to cooperate” with the investigation at all times.
“His thoughts remain with Ms. Dobbins’ family, and he remains committed to honoring her memory with compassion by supporting efforts to improve pedestrian safety and help prevent future tragedies,” Smith’s attorney told the outlet.
Just after the crash, Nashville police said that it appeared the victim was crossing a “marked sidewalk” when Smith hit her with his Chevrolet Silverado. “The preliminary contributing factor for this crash appears to be Smith failing to yield the right of way to the pedestrian,” the June 9 statement read. “He showed no signs of impairment.”
Smith, a Nashville native, released his debut album, Smoky Mountains, for Big Machine Label Group in 2024.
