Conner Smith is temporarily laying his guitar aside. Just a week after the "I Hate Alabama" crooner was involved in a fatal pedestrian accident in Nashville, as confirmed by local authorities, he has canceled multiple forthcoming performances to focus inward. On June 16th, his team issued a statement to the organizers of the Military Appreciation Concert in Akron, Ohio, via the local Cleveland news outlet WKYC, conveying, "As Conner Smith takes the necessary time to privately grapple with recent events, unfortunately, he will not be taking the stage in Akron on June 20th. We deeply appreciate your understanding and unwavering support during this challenging period."
The very next day, following the Akron concert for which he was slated to headline, Conner was also due to perform at the Buckeye Country Superfest, sharing the billing with Jelly Roll, Kane Brown, and Megan Maroney. However, the 24-year-old opted to step away from that appearance as well. The festival announced on June 16th via X (formerly Twitter), "Regrettably, Conner Smith will not be performing this weekend. Vincent Mason will be joining us at The Shoe in his stead."
According to his website, Conner still has performances lined up throughout the summer, commencing in July.
The week preceding Conner's cancellations, the "Creek Will Rise" artist was identified as the driver of a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck that collided with and fatally injured 77-year-old Dorothy Dobbins. On June 9th, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department issued a press release stating that Ms. Dobbins was reportedly walking within a marked crosswalk when the incident occurred. "The preliminary contributing factor in this crash appears to be Smith failing to yield the right of way to the pedestrian," authorities noted. "He exhibited no signs of impairment. No charges have been filed at this time as the investigation continues."
Following the accident, Ms. Dobbins was transported to a nearby hospital where she passed away shortly thereafter. Although Conner has yet to publicly address the tragic incident, his attorney, Worrick G. Robinson, offered the singer's condolences on his behalf. "On June 8th, Mr. Smith was involved in a car accident that resulted in a tragic loss of life," the representative stated in a June 9th press release to E! News. "His heart aches for Ms. Dobbins' family during this incredibly difficult time." Robinson further added, "Mr. Smith continues to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation."
