UPDATE:
David Smith entered a not guilty plea on August 3rd.
EARLIER STORY:
A Palm Beach County sheriff's captain was arrested on charges of driving under the influence in a Royal Palm Beach crash Saturday night.
A PBSO corporal spotted a blue Mustang and a motorcycle speeding down Southern Boulevard at 11 p.m, according to an arrest report.
The two vehicles collided near the intersection of Cypress Head Avenue, causing the motorcycle to go airborne, the report states.
PBSO Capt. David Smith, who was driving the Mustang, came out of his car to talk to the motorcyclist and the corporal asked Smith to call 911.
Smith “seemed confused, was staggering, and almost fell over when he stood up on the curve,” the report states.
The motorcyclist was airlifted by Palm Beach County Fire Rescue to St. Mary’s Medical Center with serious injuries.
#accident#motorcycle Royal Palm Beach Blvd/Southern Blvd, 1 rider on the ground, #traumaheli to hospital
— PBC Fire Rescue (@PBCFR) July 2, 2017
Smith’s breath alcohol test results were .196 and .202, more than twice the legal limit, according to the report.
The deputy investigating the incident said Smith told him he drank six Bud Light beers and took a prescribed Xanax earlier in the day.
Smith was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail around 1:30 a.m. Sunday and was released around 6:30 a.m.
Smith was hired by PBSO in 1998 and works as the security commander of the West Detention Center in Belle Glade.
He has been placed on paid administrative leave by PBSO. He is charged with DUI and property damage.
Statement from Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office:
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office holds its employees to the highest standards and never forgets about its duty to preserve the public’s trust. Unfortunately sometimes an employee makes a bad decision which leads to misconduct and arrest, resulting in the charges.
The Sheriff’s Office will remain vigilant to insure that our efforts are professional and meet the high standards that the public has come to expect.
