Country singer Conner Smith has pulled out of an appearance June 21 at Buckeye Country Superfest 2025 at Ohio Stadium following his involvement in a fatal traffic crash earlier this month in Nashville, Tennessee.
Smith, a rising name in country music best known for “The Creek Will Rise” and “I Hate Alabama,” which went viral on TikTok, was among the scheduled warm-up acts at Buckeye Superfest with Megan Moroney, Texas country rock band Treaty Oak Revival, and up-and-comer Dasha. The show is co-headlined by Jelly Roll (whose real name is Jason DeFord) and Kane Brown.
The 24-year-old Smith was identified by Metro Police in Nashville as the operator of a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck that fatally struck 77-year-old Dorothy “Dot” Dobbins as she was crossing 3rd Avenue North in a marked crosswalk just after 7:30 p.m. June 8 in that city’s Germantown neighborhood.
Dobbins, who was a resident of the area and a former attorney for more than 40 years in Nashville, was reportedly walking her dog when the incident occurred, police said. She was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, police said, where she died. A police representative did not know what happened with the dog.
Smith showed no sign of impairment, police said, but failed to yield the right of way to Dobbins in the crosswalk. The police investigation is continuing and no charges had been filed as of June 20.
In a release, Smith’s attorney said that “Conner Smith was involved in a car accident that tragically claimed the life of Ms. Dorothy Dobbins. His heart goes out to Ms. Dobbins’ family during this incredibly difficult time. Conner continues to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.”
Smith was also scheduled to headline “A Night in Nashville” concert on Friday, June 20, after play ended in the Kauling Companies Championship at Firestone Country Club in Akron, but pulled out. A statement from his representative said: “As Conner Smith takes time to privately process recent events, he will unfortunately not be performing in Akron on June 20. We appreciate your understanding and continued support during this difficult time.”
Buckeye Country Superfest announced on X on June 16 that Smith “will unfortunately not be performing this weekend. Vincent Mason will be joining us at The Shoe in his place.”
Smith was among the performers early this month at the CMA Fest, which ran June 5-8 across 10 stages in Nashville.
According to Celebrity Talent International, the cost to book Smith for a performance or a corporate event is in the starting range of $25,000-$39,999.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Conner Smith pulls out of Akron show, Buckeye Superfest in Columbus after fatal crash
Reporting by Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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