What should have been a celebratory weekend for country singer Conner Smith took a heartbreaking turn.
Just a day after performing at CMA Fest 2025, Smith was involved in a fatal accident that has now led to legal charges — and an outpouring of grief.
The 24-year-old artist, known for his breakout hit I Hate Alabama, struck and killed 77-year-old Dorothy Dobbins with his pickup truck on the night of Sunday, June 8, in Nashville.
The accident happened as Dobbins was crossing the street in a marked crosswalk near her home.
Smith Charged Following Fatal Crash
On July 10, almost a month after the incident, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department confirmed that Smith has been charged with Failure to Yield the Right of Way Resulting in Death, a Class A misdemeanor under Tennessee law.
Because the charge is a misdemeanor rather than a felony, it implies that there was no criminal intent behind the tragic accident, according to a source cited by DailyMail.com.
Smith received a state citation and is expected to appear for booking on August 7.
Victim Identified as Beloved Community Member
Dorothy Dobbins, the woman killed in the crash, was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center after the incident but sadly passed away there.
She was well-known in the area, and the crosswalk where the accident occurred is just steps from where she lived.
A Devastated Statement From Conner Smith
In the weeks following the tragedy, Smith stepped away from the spotlight.
On Instagram, he opened up about the emotional toll the incident has taken on him.
“Not a day has gone by that I haven’t grieved, prayed, and mourned for Ms. Dobbins and her family,” he wrote.
“My heart is broken in a way I’ve never experienced.”
He explained that he temporarily paused performing to allow space for mourning — both for himself and out of respect for Dobbins’ loved ones.
He added that his faith has been a major source of strength, writing:
“I’m thankful to serve a God who is near to the brokenhearted… Through tragedy, I have learned that God is more faithful than I could have ever known before.”
Smith’s Legal Team Responds
Smith’s attorney, Worrick G. Robinson IV, also issued a public statement, thanking police for their thorough investigation and saying that Smith had cooperated fully throughout the process.
“His thoughts remain with Ms. Dobbins’ family, and he remains committed to honoring her memory… by supporting efforts to improve pedestrian safety.”
No Signs of Impairment at the Scene
Police sources and eyewitnesses say Smith was not impaired at the time of the crash — nor was he distracted by his phone.
The crash appears to have been an accident rather than the result of recklessness or negligence.
In fact, local authorities have already begun improving safety at the site where the crash happened.
Since the incident, new signs have been installed, and a tree that blocked visibility of the crosswalk has been taken down — all small but significant steps to prevent future tragedies.
From TikTok Fame to Country Charts
Conner Smith’s name might be familiar to fans of modern country.
He shot to prominence in 2021 with I Hate Alabama, a viral hit that exploded on TikTok and led to his signing with Valory, a subsidiary of Big Machine Records — the same label that helped launch Taylor Swift’s career.
He followed up with a 2022 EP Didn’t Go Too Far, and in 2023, both Take It Slow and Creek Will Rise went Gold.
The latter even landed him a top-20 hit on Billboard’s US Country Airplay chart.
The Accident Came After a Major Performance
Smith had been riding a high from his Saturday performance at CMA Fest’s Chevy Riverfront Stage — one of the festival’s premier venues.
Less than 24 hours later, tragedy struck.
What Comes Next
Smith is expected to appear in court for his booking in early August.
As the investigation wraps up, his focus remains on mourning the loss, supporting the Dobbins family, and doing what he can to turn tragedy into a push for better safety in Nashville.
This moment marks a sobering chapter in the young singer’s life — one he says has deeply changed him.