What to watch
Best streaming guide in the US
Prosecutors in Tennessee officially withdrew the criminal charge against country music artist Conner Smith on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
The charge, a misdemeanor citation for failure to yield the right of way resulting in death, followed a fatal accident in June 2025.
The Davidson County District Attorney’s Office confirmed they dropped the case at the direct request of the victim's family.
The legal case began after an incident during CMA Fest weekend in Nashville. Conner Smith, then 24, was driving a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck when he struck 77-year-old Dorothy "Dot" Dobbins in a marked crosswalk.
While the singer immediately stopped to render aid, the victim later died from her injuries at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Initial police investigations found no evidence of distracted driving or impairment on Smith’s part.
Conner Smith's attorney, Worrick G. Robinson IV, released a statement following the dismissal, describing the accident as a "profound tragedy" for both the family and the local Germantown community.
He noted that the singer has spent the last several months getting to know the Dobbins family personally to express his sincere grief.
While the legal proceedings have concluded, the singer plans to continue supporting the family privately.
The "I Hate Alabama" singer, signed to Big Machine Records, faced significant public scrutiny following the 2025 accident, leading him to cancel several tour dates at the time.
With the criminal charge now cleared, the focus shifts back to his professional recovery.
Conner Smith rose to prominence with his viral hits and his 2024 debut album, Smoky Mountains.
This legal resolution marks the end of a difficult chapter for the rising star as he navigates the aftermath of the tragic event.
