PBSO captain arrested on DUI charge after crash

Motorcyclist injured in crash

ROYAL PALM BEACH, Fla. – A captain for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office was arrested Saturday on a charge of driving under the influence after a crash that injured a motorcyclist.

Capt. David Smith was driving a Ford Mustang when he crashed into a motorcyclist off Southern Boulevard and Cypress Head Avenue in Royal Palm Beach, deputies said.

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An-off duty deputy witnessed the crash and said the motorcycle went airborne from the impact, a probable cause affidavit said.

When asked if he had been drinking or taken any drugs, Smith told a deputy he had about six Bud Lights during the night, the affidavit said.

Smith also said that he usually takes two Xanax pills and an Ambien pill before bed and that he'd taken his Xanax earlier in the day, but had not taken the Ambien yet, according to the affidavit.

The captain had a hard time maintaining his balance while standing in a stationary position during a field-sobriety test, the affidavit said. He failed a finger-to-nose test, couldn't recite the alphabet in a non-rhythmic manner and, when asked to stand on one leg, he stated that he could not do it.

His breath alcohol test results were .196 and .202, the report said. 

Smith's eye were red, bloodshot and glossy, and he also smelled of alcohol, deputies said.

The motorcyclist was airlifted to St. Mary's Medical Center after he was taken by Palm Beach County Fire Rescue to Palms West Hospital.