American Idol finalist Rickey Smith died early Friday morning after being hit head on by another vehicle going the wrong way on Interstate 240 near Oklahoma City. The driver of the other vehicle has been hospitalized and booked for DUI.
After police revealed that Rickey Smith was the one had died in the accident, many of his American Idol Season 2 co-competitors took to social media to express their grief and condolences to Rickey’s friends and family, including winner Ruben Studdard, second place finisher Clay Aiken, third place finisher Kimberley Locke, and Rickey’s Top 8 co-finalist Kim Caldwell.
Before we get to those messages, I wanted to point out that Rickey has two children and a GoFundMe page has been started to raise money for them. The initial goal on the page was $10,000, and that goal has already been met — which is a real indication just was a caring spirit Rickey was. Here is the message from the page:
Rickey Smith has touched the lives of all those who he encountered. This man was truly one of a kind in which his generosity, humble heart, infectious laugh, and astounding voice will not be forgotten in all of our hearts. Every person he came across in his years with us has a story of how he changed their life.
We are friends of Rickey and his family from Oklahoma City. This fund is being set up in honor of our great friend to offer support to those he loved so emphatically. The funds will contribute to the costs associated with funeral arrangements and specifically to help alleviate accruing costs during this time for Rickey’s family, girlfriend, and little daughter.
All money donated will be directly given to Rickey’s immediate family.
We love you our sweet friend, until we see you again.
-Elizabeth and Anna
Now I will let Rickey’s American Idol friends speak about his passing:
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
Fly, Rickey – #rickeysmith https://t.co/1O4Nna5eEx
— Clay Aiken (@clayaiken) May 7, 2016
"The energy, the voice, the enthusiasm which we will never ever forget." – @ryanseacrest #rickeysmith https://t.co/rfomLidb4H
— Clay Aiken (@clayaiken) May 7, 2016
Here's the awesome performance by #rickeysmith that @fredbronson was talking about. https://t.co/lvlT3N9e1A
— Clay Aiken (@clayaiken) May 7, 2016
I know he's already singing loudly in Heaven and waking up the other angels with his beautiful voice #rickeysmith
— Clay Aiken (@clayaiken) May 7, 2016
Terribly #sad today. The @AmericanIdol family has suffered a great loss. #RIPRickeySmith
— Kimberley Locke (@KimberleyLocke) May 6, 2016
I'm shocked & deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Rickey Smith. I send my sincerest condolences to his family. pic.twitter.com/YWDiplKOhh
— Paula Abdul (@PaulaAbdul) May 7, 2016
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
Keep singing it in Heaven , Rickey. "What the World Needs Now is Love Sweet Love." pic.twitter.com/zXXvBwpBDC
— Nigel Lythgoe OBE (@dizzyfeet) May 6, 2016
Retweet this to as many people as you can. Rickey was such a light to all of us that knew him. https://t.co/RGh4ORW1B9
— Ruben Studdard (@RubenStuddard) May 7, 2016
