'It's a good outcome': Guilty plea brings closure 2 years after Smokin Thighs owner's death

Summary by The Nashville Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Katelyn Quisenberry, WKRN News 2 (ABC affiliate) · July 23, 2026 · 1 min read

More than two years after Smokin Thighs owner Matt Carney was struck outside his own Wedgewood-Houston restaurant, officials announced the man responsible for the fatal hit-and-run pleaded guilty. Now, those who knew Carney best said they're ready to close a painful chapter while keeping his memo...

Why this matters in The Nashville

The guilty plea in the Smokin Thighs owner's death brings a measure of closure to the Wedgewood-Houston community, where Matt Carney's restaurant was a local staple. As the neighborhood continues to evolve with new businesses and developments, the memory of Carney and his contributions to the area's growth will remain. The case also underscores the need for continued attention to pedestrian safety in Nashville's bustling neighborhoods, where restaurants and shops often share narrow streets with heavy vehicle traffic. Now that justice has been served, Carney's friends and family can focus on preserving his legacy, including the restaurant that still bears his name and serves as a testament to his impact on the local culinary scene. The community will likely continue to rally around Smokin Thighs, ensuring that Carney's memory stays alive and his business remains a vibrant part of the neighborhood.

About this story

Original reporting by WKRN News 2 (ABC affiliate). The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page.

For the complete original report, visit WKRN News 2 (ABC affiliate). Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: business · Published: July 23, 2026 · Source: WKRN News 2 (ABC affiliate) · Reading time: 1 min

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This article was first published on July 23, 2026 by WKRN News 2 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.

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Summary created by	The Nashville Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed
Original reporting	Katelyn Quisenberry, WKRN News 2 (ABC affiliate)
Original story	Read at the source
Source published	Jul 23, 2026
Indexed here	Jul 24, 2026
AI assistance	Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text
Prepublication human review	No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples

'It's a good outcome': Guilty plea brings closure 2 years after Smokin Thighs owner's death

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