A country music singer was involved in an incident that left a pedestrian dead in downtown Nashville and has since responded through his attorney.
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department confirmed that 77-year-old Dorothy Dobbins was struck by a vehicle driven by singer Conner Smith on Sunday evening, June 8, 2025.
Conner Smith arrives at the BMI Country Awards in Nashville, Tennessee on November 7, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
The fatal crash occurred around 7:30 p.m. as Dobbins crossed 3rd Avenue North at Van Buren Street in a marked crosswalk. She was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where she later died.
Preliminary findings indicate that Smith, 24, failed to yield the right of way. Authorities reported no signs of impairment, and no charges have been filed as the investigation continues.
Sources close to Smith told TMZ the crash was a tragic accident and said he was neither under the influence nor distracted by his phone.
In a statement to the outlet, Smith’s attorney, Worrick G. Robinson, said, “On June 8th, Mr. Smith was involved in a car accident that tragically claimed a life. His heart goes out to Ms. Dobbins’ family during this incredibly difficult time.”
Robinson said Smith continues to cooperate fully with the investigation.
Before the crash, Smith had been in Nashville for the Country Music Association (CMA) Fest, a major annual country music event. He performed on Saturday, June 7, at the Chevy Riverfront Stage, according to the official festival schedule.
Conner Smith performs for a large crowd at the Chevy Riverfront Stage during CMA Fest in Nashville | Source: Instagram/connersmithmusic
The country crooner also shared an Instagram post following his performance at CMA Fest, captioned, “Hometown hits different ❤️.”
The post included photos of him on stage at the Chevy Riverfront Stage, posing with fans, and spending time backstage. He wore a Tennessee Volunteers shirt and appeared alongside friends, family, and fellow performers.
A Nashville native, Smith is part of country music’s rising class of singer-songwriters, known for his grounded vocals and Southern-rooted storytelling.
He signed his first publishing deal as a teenager and rose to prominence with his 2022 debut project, “Didn’t Go Too Far,” which featured the Top 40 hit “Learn From It,” the viral track “I Hate Alabama,” and the fan favorite “Take It Slow.”
His early success earned him “artist to watch” recognition from Spotify, Amazon Music, Pandora, MusicRow, Opry NextStage, and CMT. Over the years, Smith has toured with Thomas Rhett, Cole Swindell, Chase Rice, Luke Bryan, and Parker McCollum.
In 2024, he released his full-length debut album “Smoky Mountains,” praised for combining modern hooks with traditional country sonics. The project features the gold-certified international hit “Creek Will Rise” and the critically acclaimed track “Meanwhile in Carolina.”
In that same year, Smith earned a nomination for the Academy of Country Music (ACM) New Male Artist of the Year, marking a major milestone in his rising career. He shared his reaction in an Instagram post, admitting at the time that the news hadn’t fully sunk in.
Conner Smith speaks in a video message outside a house, following his nomination for New Male Artist of the Year, posted in April 2024 | Source: Instagram/connersmithmusic
Reflecting on the recognition, Smith said he was “grateful” and humbled, thanking those who voted and expressing his respect for the fellow nominees, many of whom he’s long admired as both a fan and a peer.
Earlier this year, a separate tragedy involving a young child known on TikTok also captured national attention.
On April 24, Louisiana State Police responded to a single-vehicle car crash on Interstate 12 (I-12) in St. Tammany Parish. Inside were two adults and a two-year-old boy, later identified as Jaelan and Katelynn Ordone, and their son, Preston.
All three sustained severe injuries and were transported to local hospitals for treatment. A preliminary investigation determined that they were traveling eastbound on I-12 in a 2011 Ford F-150 when, for reasons still under investigation, the truck veered off the roadway and struck a tree.
Police also said Jaelan and Katelynn were properly restrained at the time of the accident, but their son was “improperly restrained” in his child safety seat. The couple is still receiving treatment.
Following the crash, friends of Katelynn and her family released a video update via Katelynn’s social media accounts. They shared that Preston’s older sister, Paisley, was at school during the time of the accident.
Regarding Jaelan and Katelynn’s recovery, they revealed that Katelynn suffered multiple broken bones and a severe concussion. On the day they recorded the update, they said she walked for the first time since the accident.
They also shared that Jaelan underwent emergency surgery on one of his legs, and that he and Katelynn were at different hospitals. Fans of Preston and his family reached out to send prayers and offer further support.
In light of this and mounting medical bills, the Ordone family started a GoFundMe. The fundraiser description begins with a brief recount of the accident, before confirming, “Tragically, their 2-year-old son, Preston Ordone—affectionately known as the ‘Okay Baby’ on TikTok—was in the back seat. Preston suffered critical injuries and later passed away at the hospital.”
They set a goal of raising $50,000 and, as of this writing, have raised $39,326. Katelynn and Jaelan are now in Lakeview Hospital, recovering.
During a visit to the medical facility, Glen Norris, Preston’s grandfather, spoke with Nola.com by phone. He disputed some of the details in the report released by the State Police.
Although the report states that Preston was improperly restrained in his seat, Glen claimed he was, in fact, properly secured. He shared that the family had been returning home from a doctor’s appointment when the incident occurred.
Glen said he spoke to a witness who was driving behind the truck when it crashed and removed Preston from the vehicle. The witness reportedly confirmed that Preston was properly restrained.
Glen said the boy’s passing left him numb. However, the police report still angered him, and he felt it was “hurtful and painful.” Nola.com also spoke with Trooper Marc Gremillion, who maintained that the report is accurate based on the information currently available. Still, the investigation is ongoing.
Preston was the light in the lives of all who knew and loved him. He became popular on TikTok for videos in which he would receive instructions from his mother and respond with an enthusiastic “Okay!” before promptly doing the opposite.
Those clips, which sometimes included Paisley, often involved Preston playing in the mud or water, as the youngster loved the outdoors. His last video was from April 23.
