MITCHELL — A Mitchell man is facing felony-level charges for operating vehicle while intoxicated after being involved in a single-vehicle crash on State Road 37 late Thursday, December 11, 2025.
Randy A. Smith, 63, of Mitchell, was arrested on charges of OWI endangerment, with a prior conviction.
According to the affidavit filed by Officer C. Grogan of the Lawrence County Police Department, officers were dispatched at 10:28 PM EST to a reported one-vehicle accident on SR 37 at Art Gallery Road, southbound.
Upon arrival, officers found a silver 2009 Chevrolet off the right side of the road in a ditch. The driver, identified as Smith, was standing outside the vehicle.
Officer Grogan noted that Smith exhibited several signs of intoxication, including slurred speech, glossy and red eyes, and a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage. When questioned, Smith stated he was traveling too fast for conditions and admitted that he had consumed “too much” alcohol.
During the investigation, Smith agreed to perform standardized field sobriety tests which he failed. A preliminary breathalyzer test administered at the scene registered a blood alcohol concentration of 0.188.
After being read Indiana’s Implied Consent law, Mr. Smith refused to submit to a certified chemical test.
The charge was elevated to a Level 6 Felony because a check of criminal records confirmed that Mr. Smith had a prior OWI conviction on June 25, 2019. In Indiana, a second OWI conviction within seven years is automatically classified as a Level 6 felony. A conviction at this level is punishable by six months to two-and-a-half years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000.
Smith was arrested and transported to the Lawrence County Jail.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the probable cause affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
