On Friday morning, former “American Idol” finalist Rickey Smith was killed in a car crash, according to multiple reports. He was 36 years old.
Smith was involved in a multi-car, wrong-way accident that occurred when 27-year-old Gerardo Cerda Jr. slammed head-on into Smith’s car while driving westbound in the eastbound lanes of I-240.
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Smith was pronounced dead on site.
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Cerda, who was hospitalized after the accident, has been arrested for DUI.
What is happening??! Rickey Smith. I's so sad. I sang in choir with him growing up. Rest well, my friend. 💔https://t.co/vcuPZu9uIz
— Melissa Polinar (@mpolinar) May 6, 2016
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How sad that Rickey Smith's talented life was taken by a #drunkdriver. He was part of the #AmericanIdolFamily and will always be remembered.
— Nigel Lythgoe OBE (@dizzyfeet) May 6, 2016
Wow I'm so shocked and heart broken, I had the opportunity to work at the same place with this guy a for year or… https://t.co/fkAq4N76z0
— Patrice Mckaufman (@MrsMckaufman) May 6, 2016
Rickey & I had the chance to work together on AI2 Tour. #RIP cat ✌😔
⚡️“American Idol alum Rickey Smith dead at 36”https://t.co/1oEYZg8Te1
— C. Allen ✨✌️✨ (@KeezOfLife) May 6, 2016