Dash Cam Video: Rita F. Smith DUI arrest
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Smith Arrest Dash Cam Video
Smith Arrest Dash Cam VideoThe wife of Florence County Council Chairman K.G. Rusty Smith has been charged in connection with an alcohol-related crash that happened New Year’s Day, Lake City Police Department reports show. Rita F. Smith, 53, of 150 Double R Lane, Lake City, is charged with driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident, according to police reports. Watch Lake City Police Department dash cam video from the incident.
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Reader Reactions
Opinionated: YOU are an IDIOT.
Of course it is a matter of proving the crime. So…you’re telling me that because the officer didnt see her behind the wheel of a car she cant be charged? So that means that if a police officer doesnt witness a murder no one can be charged with it? If a woman has bruises that doesnt mean she didnt get hit… Rita has a dent in the car, but she didnt hit anything? Idiot. Maybe she’ll hire you to defend her in court if it ever makes it that far. You make no sense at all. Look outside of the box? Clever.
Opinionated Wrote:
First and foremost it all is down to the burden of proof. DUI, she was not found behind the wheel of a vehicle therefore she was not (Driving Under the Influence), her word against any others. She could have easily said she had been home all day. Whose to say. Leaving the scene of an accident, goes down to the burden of proof. She may have a dent in her car, but whose to say she was driving. I don’t believe DUI is the proper charge, leaving the scene of an accident yes, and if Rusty came and got her or came and moved the car, he is an accessory after the fact. Where’s his charges. Folks look at the big picture. Look outside the box.
It is highly unlikely her BA content was altered any due to drinking coffee. To ingest enough coffee to alter your BA content, you would have to drink enough to almost kill you. And even then, chances are slim that anything would change. People simply think coffee sobers them up because of the burst of caffeine it gives. When it in fact is a false sense of sobriety.
Not only did she leave the scene of the crime, she went home drank as much coffee as possible, changed clothes & brushed her teeth.
Her BA level was twice the legal limit at the time of her arrest but I’m sure it was higher than that at the time of the accident & before she drank all that coffee.
She will most likely pay a fine & get probation. But, I hope the 17 year old girl’s parent sue the crap out of them in civil court. They can use some of the money that KG embezzled to pay her off with. The ones of you that think they are such fine people check out their family tree.
I’m glad it was kept in the media!! Our county needs to be able to have trust in out leaders & at this point & time, that is not the case.
I heard her say “ I take medication for stress” I’m pretty sure you shouldn’t drink while taking these meds. I bet she gets off of her D.U.I. anyway or pleads it to wreckless driving.
Are you kidding me if the news media dosn’t keep tabs on the local politicians and there relatives, friends, etc. The buddy buddy system that definately exsists in Florence County would have swept this D.U.I under the rug. Trust me on this. The incident stinks of the Smith’s trying to get away with it. I will agree that there are better stories out there to cover but I want to know every time Ed Robinson gets arrested anyway.
Opinionated: What kind of propaganda are you spewing? Accessory after the fact? This isn’t a felony charge. Leaving the scene of an accident is a traffic violation. You can’t have an accessory after nor before the fact on a misdemeanor traffic offense. Accessory after the fact is statutory law. You can have accessory after the fact for a misdemeanor such as a Class B misdemeanor (like hazing, and other offenses against the person), but not traffic violations.
“...the car was moved 20 yards down the lane (their driveway)...not exactly leaving the scene of the accident huh???“
Yeah - that was the car, but what about her? She was taken to the house, right? Not exactly waiting for the police to arrive, now, is it? And you can’t dispute tampering with evidence, since the car IS the evidence. This story has “got legs” because the people involved gave it “legs”. I expect it will go on for some time, at least until a few more of the seemier details see some day light.
Again WBTW New 13…why is exploiting a kind politicians wife repeatedly more news worthy than the local current events? I am disappointed to know that she can’t resume any type of normal life for being hounded by media at home as well as at her job. It has been said repeatedly that the Smiths are unavailable for comment. What do you expect her to say??? What would you say if you made a mistake and had to live it daily on tv and on-line. I understand from others that did watch your 5 and 6pm news tonight that your playing the father’s 911 call did show your intentions of embarrassing the Smith family and sensationalizing the story. By his own admission, he says the car was moved 20 yards down the lane (their driveway)...not exactly leaving the scene of the accident huh??? Thanks for reporting with integrity.
Rusty Smith has been a better public representative than anyone I can remember affiliating with. Regardless of age, race, or gender, if you present a legitimate suggestion or request, he will get the job done. Just leave Rita and thier family alone.
These negative comments made by these people are judgemental and negative. Most likely these people are the ones who collect thier tax refunds and open thier mouths to critizize how other people’s money is being spent. These people should be ashamed with themselves, along with the immoral people at News 13 who have exploited Mrs. Smith (who is a fine lady, mother, wife, and community asset). She has certainly not been treated like a normal citizen and resident. Anyone who finds happiness or amusement in this situation should be as ashamed of themselves as the people at News 13 should be. You wouldn’t think they would be pathetic enough as to consecutively report this story for the last four days. Remember, whenever you point a finger at someone, you have three fingers pointing right back at you. No one is without sin or holier than thou.
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