by NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Rising country music artist Conner Smith is facing a misdemeanor charge after a 77-year-old woman was struck and killed in a pedestrian crosswalk last month in Nashville’s Germantown neighborhood.
According to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), the 24-year-old singer has been cited for failure to yield the right of way resulting in death, a Class A misdemeanor. The citation was issued Thursday night by the MNPD Traffic Division.
Incident Details
The fatal accident occurred on June 8, when Dorothy “Dot” Dobbins was walking across a street in a marked crosswalk and was struck by a truck. Witnesses reported that Smith, who was driving the vehicle involved, immediately stopped and attempted to assist Dobbins until emergency personnel arrived.
Dobbins was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where she later died from her injuries.
Authorities confirmed there was no evidence of impairment or distracted driving on Smith’s part. The investigation concluded with the misdemeanor citation, and Smith is expected to be booked on August 7.
Smith Issues Heartfelt Statement
In a public statement, Smith acknowledged the tragedy and expressed deep sorrow over Dobbins’ death.
“Not a day has gone by that I haven’t grieved, prayed, and mourned for Ms. Dobbins and her family,” Smith wrote. “My heart is broken in a way I’ve never experienced, and I still struggle to fully process the weight of it all.”
Smith also explained his recent absence from live performances, noting that he stepped away from shows to honor the grieving process and give space to those affected.
“Through tragedy, I have learned that God is more faithful than I could have ever known before,” Smith added, citing Psalm 91.
Legal and Community Response
Smith’s attorney, Worrick Robinson IV, also released a statement emphasizing the singer’s full cooperation with investigators.
“Conner is incredibly grateful to the MNPD for their time and efforts to carefully investigate this tragic accident,” said Robinson. “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.”
The case highlights ongoing concerns about pedestrian safety in Nashville, particularly in areas like Germantown that see high foot traffic.
Smith is scheduled to be booked on August 7 as part of the legal process stemming from the citation.
