Walkerton man arrested for high-BAC OWI after property damage accident

A 35-year-old man was arrested Saturday night following a property damage accident after authorities determined he was operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) nearly double the legal limit.

At approximately 9:50 p.m. on Saturday, January 24th, officers from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department and the Indiana State Police responded to a report of a single-vehicle accident in the area of Plymouth LaPorte Trail and 4B Road.

During the crash investigation, officers identified the driver as Anthony Michael Smith of Walkerton. According to the Sheriff’s Department, Smith exhibited clear signs of alcohol intoxication. Further testing revealed a BAC of .15% or higher.

Smith was taken into custody and transported to the Marshall County Jail. He faces multiple criminal charges, including operating a vehicle with a BAC of .15% or more, operating a vehicle while intoxicated – endangering, and false informing. He was held on a $1,500 cash bond.

Readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is a mere allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial by jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.