Only spending a few years in country music, Conner Smith was excited to get an invitation to perform at CMA Fest 2025. Bringing some of the biggest names to the stage, the moment marked a milestone in the singer’s career since releasing his debut album, Smoky Mountains, last year. Although meant to be a moment of celebration turned into tragedy after Smith struck and killed Dorothy Dobbins while driving through downtown Nashville. Besides stepping away from the spotlight to process the tragedy, Smith recently discussed how he embraced the isolation.
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Finding his way back to the stage thanks to the Grand Ole Opry on Wednesday, Smith soaked in the atmosphere for the first time in weeks. With the accident taking place back in June, the singer canceled his future performances to focus on the tragedy. Sharing his recent thoughts on his Substack, he wrote, “The moment tragedy came, I knew that my heart had no way to process it. Surrounded by an incredible community, my wife, family, friends, pastors, for the first 30 days, I stayed isolated from the world.”
Having to struggle with the tragedy and his involvement in the death of Dobbins, Smith added, “I spent most of my time with friends who had stopped by the house, or just me and Jesus. I turned off my phone, and the world, and simply guarded my mind, processing the pain with the people around me.”
[RELATED: Conner Smith Speaks Out for the First Time Following Fatal CMA Fest Weekend Crash]
Conner Smith Issued A Misdeamor For Fatal Incident
As for the details surrounding the incident, 77-year-old Dobbins walked her dog on the night of June 8, 2025. While using a marked crosswalk in Nashville, the retired attorney was struck by Smith’s vehicle. With first responders transporting Dobbins to a nearby medical facility, she sadly passed away from her injuries.
Although an investigation was opened, police found that Smith was neither intoxicated nor distracted by his cell phone at the time. On July 10th, a misdemeanor was filed, citing failure to yield, resulting in a fatality.
Ready to move forward with his life and career, Smith considered his first performance a new beginning. “This feels like a new beginning in every way tonight. A restart, a second chance, an opportunity for purpose through the trials I’ve now known. My heart is filled with thankfulness because of that truth. The truth that I now get a chance to begin again, having seen the things that truly matter in life.”
(Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Big Machine Label Group)
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