Rising country star Conner Smith behind wheel of truck in accident that kills 77-year-old pedestrian

Rising country star Conner Smith was driving a vehicle that was involved in a fatal accident over the weekend.

The Nashville singer-songwriter, 24, is said to have been behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck last Sunday (June 8) when it hit a 77-year-old woman, Dorothy Dobbins.

According to a statement from the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, the deceased had been “crossing the roadway” and was “inside a marked crosswalk” when she was struck.

The incident occurred on 3rd Avenue North near Van Buren Street in the Tennessee city at around 7:30pm.

Dobbins, who lived nearby, was subsequently taken to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, but died from her injuries.

Smith had been travelling north on 3rd Avenue North as Dobbins crossed, police said.

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

“There are no charges at present as the investigation continues.”

In a statement shared with People, Smith’s lawyer confirmed that the musician had been “involved in a car accident that tragically claimed a life”. They continued: “His heart goes out to Ms Dobbins’s family during this incredibly difficult time.

“Mr Smith continues to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.”

The incident happened on the final day of Nashville’s 2025 Country Music Association Fest, which is a four-day celebration of country, and the longest-running country music festival in the world.

Smith, who was born and raised in Nashville, released his debut album ‘Smoky Mountains’ in early 2024 via Big Machine imprint Valory. The record contains the single ‘Creek Will Rise’, which became Smith’s first Top 20 hit on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.

The singer-songwriter was nominated for New Male Artist Of The Year at the 2024 ACM Awards, and has previously opened for Luke Bryan. His song ‘Steal My Thunder’ (featuring Tucker Wetmore) appears on the Twisters soundtrack.

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