FORT WORTH, TX : Finis Smith, well-known Fort Worth musician, killed in car crash on Saturday, 1st October 2016
A well-known Fort Worth gospel musician, soloist and choir director died Saturday after a suspected drunk driver crashed into the vehicle he was in.
Finis Smith, 68, died at 8:18 p.m. at John Peter Smith Hospital, according to the Tarrant County medical examiner.Fort Worth police said Smith was in a van traveling in the 700 block of Riverside Drive in Fort Worth when a man driving a truck on the wrong side of the road crashed into it, which caused the vehicle behind Smith to crash into the van.
Smith died at the scene. A Fort Worth police report listed the other driver as Roberto Ortiz-Morales, 36. Witnesses told police Ortiz-Morales was driving erratically and a police incident report states Ortiz-Morales was intoxicated and was arrested.
He faces a charge of intoxication manslaughter, police Sgt. Marc Povero said Sunday evening.
Smith directed the Adlee Trezevant Memorial Concert Choir, made up of I.M. Terrell High School alumni dating to 1942, all of whom are former students of renowned school choir director Adlee Trezevant.
As social media posts spread word of his death, comments about him were posted by friends and family. He was a cousin of Fort Worth Councilwoman Gyna Bivens. Smith was described on her Facebook page as a legend, favorite teacher and friend, a gentleman, sweet, funny, dedicated, and talented.
Friend and Riverside neighbor Cory Session posted on Facebook that Smith was one of the greatest musicians, pianists and soloists ever.
“A nationally known maestro in gospel music. He always dawned a smile with all of his greetings and salutations. … He was one of the finest people I have ever known,” Session wrote. “You were a great friend and neighbor who will be missed. I know your melodious voice is booming simultaneously as your fingers grace the keyboard in your final concert hall of heaven. Take a bow, ‘Well done faithful servant.’
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Finis Smith, well-known Fort Worth musician, killed in car crash