Los Angeles Angels radio announcer Terry Smith was involved in a terrifying hit-and-run collision while covering the team's Spring Training activities in Arizona this week. The veteran broadcaster, who has served as the radio voice of the Angels for an impressive 24 years, expressed profound gratitude for surviving the incident with only a thumb injury.
A Harrowing Escape from Destruction
According to reports from Doug Padilla of the Orange County Register, Smith's vehicle was completely destroyed by another car traveling at an estimated speed of 90 miles per hour in Phoenix on Wednesday. The 70-year-old announcer recounted that the first police officer to arrive at the scene told him he was 'lucky to be alive' following the violent crash.
The other driver involved fled the scene and remains at large, with authorities actively pursuing the individual. Smith described the experience as harrowing for both himself and his family, yet he demonstrated remarkable resilience by returning to the broadcast booth just hours after the traumatic event.
Back on Air with Gratitude
In his first radio broadcast following the accident on Wednesday, Smith emotionally told listeners, 'I feel extremely fortunate to be on the air with you. This was a harrowing experience for me and my family, but I am ready to go and give it a test today.'
He further elaborated, 'A lot of things have happened to me and my family over the last 72 hours and I’m extremely happy to be with you for today’s broadcast.' His quick return to work underscores both his dedication to his craft and his fortunate escape from what could have been a fatal incident.
A Distinguished Broadcasting Career
Terry Smith's near-fatal accident comes during a distinguished broadcasting career that spans more than four decades. He began his baseball broadcasting journey calling games for the Jacksonville Suns in 1978, followed by a stint with the Memphis Chicks from 1981 to 1982.
Before joining the Angels organization, Smith spent nearly two decades as the play-by-play broadcaster for the Columbus Clippers, who served as the New York Yankees' former AAA affiliate during his tenure. His versatility and expertise extended beyond baseball, as he also enjoyed 11 years as the voice of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team and the Basketball Radio Network.
During his time in Ohio, Smith worked in multiple capacities including sports anchor, play-by-play announcer, and talk show host, establishing himself as a respected figure across multiple sports broadcasting platforms. His extensive experience and dedication to his profession make his survival and quick return to work all the more remarkable following this week's frightening incident.
