Angels Terry Smith, 70, involved in violent hit-and-run incident

Terry Smith opened his radio broadcast of a Los Angeles Angels spring training game Wednesday with a unique and heartfelt greeting.

“I feel so lucky to be on the air with you,” Smith said, via Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. “This has been a horrible experience for me and my family, but I’m ready to go today and put it to the test. A lot has happened for me and my family in the last 72 hours and I’m so excited to have you on the air today.”

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According to Fletcher, Smith’s car was rear-ended on a local street Saturday by another driver who was traveling at speeds of 90 miles per hour after being pursued by local police.

Smith emerged from the wreck with only a thumb injury. But according to Fletcher, the first police officer to arrive at the scene of the crash told the broadcaster that the 70-year-old was “lucky to be alive.”

The 2026 season will be Smith’s 24th season with the Angels. He served as the radio voice actor for the New York Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate, the Columbus Clippers, for 19 seasons before joining the team in 2002.

Smith has been recognized three times by the Ohio Associated Press for sports broadcasting, and WBNS AM has been selected six times by the Associated Press as outstanding sports operation in Ohio.

In February 2002, Smith made his screen debut as a broadcaster in the baseball film A Little Inside, which aired on HBO and Showtime.

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