Two decades on, the novelist marked the anniversary of the incident on Twitter.
Every day of the 20 years since has been a gift."
Smith lost his license following the accident and died of an accidental overdose of fentanyl in September 2000.
Credit: Lou Rocco/ABC via Getty Images
“The death of a 43-year-old man can only be termed untimely.
I would wish better for anyone.
Our lives came together in a strange way.
I’m grateful I didn’t die.
I’m sorry he’s gone.”
