Mugshot of Megan Nicole Smith Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. CROIX — A woman appeared before a judge at the V.I. Superior Court on Monday after being arrested for driving under the influence, among other charges.
Megan Nicole Smith was recently arrested on charges of driving under the influence of an intoxicating liquor, negligent driving and driving without a license on your person.
The arrest follows a report placed with the 911 Emergency Call Center on September 16th, which led police to Queen Street in Christiansted to investigate an auto collision.
According to the probable cause fact sheet, when police arrived to the scene they observed an unoccupied vehicle stopped in the roadway with visible damages. An officer then searched the area in an effort to locate individuals who may have been involved in the accident. The officer was flagged by an unknown female who said the driver was being held at a local bar. While walking to find the driver, the officer observed two parked vehicles with damages that were struck by Smith's vehicle: a red Toyota Tundra and a gold Ford Escape.
Smith was identified and asked if she needed any medical attention and she refused. She confirmed that she was traveling east on Queen Street, in the vicinity of Company House Hotel when the accident occurred. Smith further stated that prior to the accident, she was at her job and had a few drinks after work. When asked how many drinks she had, Smith said two. According to the probable cause fact sheet, she had a strong odor emanating from her person, and Smith was swaying from side to side with glossy eyes and could not maintain her balance.
The officer explained to Smith that she would undergo three standardized field sobriety tests and she agreed to participate. He explained and demonstrated the tests and Smith confirmed that she understood. During the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, Smith could not keep her balance, displayed a lack of smooth pursuit, distinct and sustained nystagmus and was swaying her head from side to side, according to the probable cause fact sheet. During the walk and turn, she failed to walk heel to toe. She also did not keep her arms to her side nor did she count out loud. The officer re-demonstrated the test and asked Smith to redo them, however she declined. Smith also refused the one leg stand and said, “No, I'll go to jail. I have bond money," while placing her hands behind her back in the handcuffing position.
The officer then made contact with the unknown female he had first encountered. She said that she along with a male individual were inside the local bar when they heard a loud boom. She realized that the sound was not thunder and it was a possible accident. The female said that when she went outside she saw the wrecked vehicles and Smith exiting one of them.
According to the probable cause fact sheet, Smith was visibly distraught and became upset when the female decided to call 911. The male individual accompanying the female said he was inside the bar when he heard the sound and came outside and saw Smith. He stated that he helped her into the bar where she was held until police arrived.
In court on Monday, a judge ordered Smith's immediate release upon the posting of 10 percent of the $1,000 bail requirement. She isn't allowed to leave St. Croix without the court's written permission, and is to surrender her passport. The suspect must also report to the Office of Probation every Tuesday, and has been forbidden from consuming alcohol while the matter is pending. Smith is permitted to drive to and from work.
