American Idol Family Remembers Rickey Smith, GoFundMe Set to Help Family

05/06/2016 mj santilli Death 13

rickeysmith-photo

American Idol lost a member of their family. Rickey Smith, who finished in 8th place in season 2 was killed in a head-on collision car crash early Friday morning. The operator of the Chevrolet pickup that plowed into Rickey’s Honda Accord was driving the wrong way on interstate I-240 in Oklahoma City.

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. The driver was taken to the hospital and was still being treated there as of Friday morning.

Ricky had a partner and two young children who need financial help. His friends have set up a GoFundMe page on the family’s behalf. They have raised over $6,000K of a $10,000K goal. If you’d like to contribute, Click here.

In the meantime, the American Idol family mourns. Here are quotes from various Idol alums in a remembrance from Billboard magazine HERE. Social media condolences below.

I was just thinking, just like season 7 Idol, Michael Johns, who died in 2014 from heart issues, Rickey left American Idol in eighth place and was the finalist who everyone loved,and kept the group together.

Some ppl walk into your life and you know instantly your life is better having known them…Rickey, you were a magnificent human being! An earth angel! A beacon of light on the cloudiest of days! Your spirit has left this earth but will forever dwell in our memory! You were the sticky, sweet glue that held season 2 together! We'd spend many nights laying in bed just like this pic…sharing stories, laughing, encouraging, and consoling each other after becoming instant friends while chasing our dreams in front of millions. My heart broke when I heard the news tonight from London…not only could I not rush to make a post because I heard it late but I also needed time to process it all. This is not a sound bite for the media & blog sites, this is my friend! A human being with a family and true friends who will have a gaping hole in their lives now. I am still stunned. Still shell shocked. Still angry with the drunk driver. Still feeling the deepest sympathy for your daughter, girlfriend, and other family. And I still don't know what to say!!! We just spoke a few weeks ago and shared our mutual adoration for each other, so at least our final words were I love you! My friend. My brother. My kindred spirit…may your light continue to illuminate your beautiful daughter and carry us all through this as we miss you constantly! ……too young. Too soon….?..it pains me to have to say REST IN ETERNAL PEACE???#AmericanIdol #RickeySmith #angel #RIP #myheartisbroken

A photo posted by trenyce1 (@trenyce1) on

About mj santilli 35171 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!
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