Conner Smith Issues First Statement Following Fatal Car Accident; Charged With Misdemeanor Citation

Following a car accident that led to the death of a pedestrian this past June, Conner Smith has released his first statement to the public.

On Friday (July 11), a little more than a month after his Chevrolet Silverado struck 77-year-old Dorothy Dobbins after he reportedly failed to yield at a crosswalk, Smith took to social media to address the incident.

“Four weeks ago, I was involved in a tragic vehicle accident that resulted in the loss of a life," he wrote in a post on Instagram. "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.”

In the post, he asked that the Dobbins family be lifted up in prayer. He also noted his coinciding departure from the stage was "out of respect for everyone involved" and was done in order 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 continued. “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.”

The post comes not long after the 24-year-old country singer was issued a misdemeanor state citation by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.

The charge came on Thursday (July 10), with Smith’s attorney, Worrick G Robinson IV, sharing in a statement (per Billboard), “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 with compassion by supporting efforts to improve pedestrian safety and help prevent future tragedies.“

At the time of the incident, which occurred the night of Sunday, June 8, it was reported that a pedestrian had been struck and killed by a vehicle on 3rd Avenue North near Van Buren Street in Nashville, Tennessee. The victim was identified as Dobbins.

Initial findings indicated that Smith had failed to yield at a marked crosswalk where Dobbins was crossing. She was struck at approximately 7:30 p.m. and transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where she later died.

The police report states that Smith showed no signs of impairment.