Summer Smith daughter of Steve Smith and sister of Stevie Jr. was murdered during an apparent robbery.

COUNTY, FL -- The man whose fiancee was killed on State Road 26 in Melrose Friday afternoon when the couple was attacked is going to make a plea to the public for tips in the case.

Clint Horvatt and Summer Smith stopped to talk to a motorist Friday afternoon at around 2:50 p.m. on State Road 26, just north of Melrose. Horvatt tells investigators the couple was on their way to Gainesville to shop when they spotted a small pickup on the side of State Road 26 near Swan Lake Camp and stopped. Horvatt says his fiancee, Summer J. Smith, 36, recognized the parked truck, Horvatt said, and told him to stop.

According to Horvatt, a man got out of the truck and approached the car Horvatt and Smith were in. Horvatt says the man demanded everything they had, and then shot Smith in the head as they were handing over their belongings.

The suspect fled after shooting Smith. She was flown by helicopter to the Gainesville trauma center where she was pronounced dead shortly after 6:30 p.m. The gunman is described as a black man in his late 20s, 6 feet tall, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt.

The suspect's vehicle is a small, red pick-up truck (late 80s early 90s) which is missing it's tailgate, has a bent down rear bumper, and is described as dirty and junky looking. Anyone with information should call Detective John Merchant at 386-329-0800.

First Coast News spoke with Clint Horvatt this interview. We'll bring you a full report on First Coast News at 11.


©2008 First Coast News .

Very sad news! I hurt for the smith's!

very very sad news. i think she was miss motorsports years ago. rip...

I'm thinking Miss Knoxville Nationals also.
Man what in the world is wrong with people? And in broad daylight. The report says that she recognized the truck. Surely it wasn't someone who she knew. How awful.

Sad news for sure. There may be more to the story as the fiance's account seems somewhat suspect.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/l...125857&catid=3

Anyone remember what year she was Miss Motorsports? I believe her winning pics were displayed in a Stock Car Magazine or something. Think it was '93 or '94. Wish I could find that magazine!

Jason Dull
815 494 6002
jdull99@hotmail.com
jasondull.com (For all the Racing News)

I read on another board that it was 1994.

What in that article leads you to believe Horvatt's story is suspect? Because of what the people say in the comments section?

Talk about jumping to conclusions. The man's fiancee is dead and less than 24 hours later people are trying to pin him for it. What is wrong with you people?

Truly sad news....

And Yes Jason it was in a 94 issue of stock car and also a couple pictures in a 94 issue of Open Wheel