Golfer Smith in Shock After Wife’s Death

PGA pro Chris Smith and his family are in shock as they try to pick up the pieces following a horrific car accident on Father’s Day which claimed the life of Smith’s wife Beth and critically injured the couple’s two children, 16 year old Abigail and 12 year old Cameron.

Chris Smith (Image: Zuma Press)

According to authorities, Smith’s daughter Abigail was driving her mother and brother in an SUV when she apparently lost control and veered into the path of a Greyhound bus carrying the London (Ontario) Silverbacks football team.  The accident, which took place in Northern Indiana, injured more than 20 people, including Smith’s two children, several members of the football team and the team’s owner Alan Lazar, who suffered critical, but non-life threatening injuries.

Smith released this statement through the PGA.

“Words cannot begin to express how difficult of a time this is for our family and we appreciate the generous outpouring of support that we have received.  We would appreciate it if you would continue to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers, and kindly ask that you please respect our privacy during this extremely difficult time.”

Chris Smith has been on the PGA tour since 1995.  He won the 2002 Buick Classic, but has been only a part-time player the last few years and has been in only three PGA tour events this year.