OKLAHOMA CITY – Friends and family of former American Idol finalist Rickey Smith are mourning his death after he was killed in a car accident early Friday morning.
“We received a call about 3:15 a.m. about a wrong-way driver on the interstate and that it was a Chevrolet pickup that was headed west bound in the east bound lanes,” Captain Paul Timmons with Oklahoma Highway Patrol said.
Timmons says before officers arrived on the scene at I-240 and Western, that pickup hit Smith’s car head on.
“From what we know right now, the driver of the car was killed at the scene. The driver of the pickup was taken to the hospital and from the last information I had, he’s still being treated at the hospital,” Timmons said.
He says officers on scene smelled the odor of alcohol on the driver of the pickup, Gerardo Cerda, but they are still waiting on the blood test to confirm whether or not he was drunk.
A few hours later, another driver caused a collision at the same scene.
“Numerous Oklahoma City police officers assisted in closing down the interstate, that’s a monumental task. One of the officers that was out there was hit by a drunk driver, he was rear ended,” MSgt. Gary Knight, with the Oklahoma City Police Department, said.
Knight says that officer sustained minor injuries and is doing fine.
American Idol fans and loved ones are taking to social media to remember Smith, including Clay Aiken who Smith competed with on Season 2.
Suffice it to say my heart is truly breaking today. 💔 Heaven's choir has a new beautiful voice. I love you and will miss you, Rickey. 💔
— Clay Aiken (@clayaiken) May 6, 2016
Rest In Peace Rickey Smith. The world lost a beautiful spirit. Prayers to his family. 🙏🏾
— Fantasia • #SketchbookOutNow (@TasiasWord) May 6, 2016
“Rickey was one in a million. He smiled all day. He was caring, loving. The man could sing, sing, sing,” Smith’s cousin Donnie told KFOR over Facebook.
Donnie went on to say heaven has gained another angel.
