Ohio man gets 6th OVI arrest, 3rd as felony; police say holiday can be deadly

The Ohio State Highway Patrol said they arrested a Middletown man Friday for his sixth operating a vehicle while intoxicated offense in the last 20 years.

Troopers stopped Darby Smith, 42 of Middletown, on State Route 747 near Smith Road in West Chester Twp. for seat belt and staying in marked lanes violations around 10:56 p.m., according to OSHP.

Officers said Smith was found to be impaired and he was arrested for OVI, and Driving Under OVI suspension, the patrol said. They added this is his third felony OVI arrest in the last 10 years.

The Highway Patrol said the arrest comes during their crackdown on impaired driving for the Labor Day holiday weekend, and their Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.

During the 2023 Labor Day holiday weekend, there were 23 fatal crashes that resulted in 24 deaths on Ohio roads, according to state officials. Of those, 16 crashes and 17 fatalities involved alcohol and/or drugs. Ten of the fatalities involved unbelted drivers.

Smith is in custody at the Butler County Jail.

Motorists are encouraged to safely dial #677 to report impaired drivers and drug activity on Ohio’s roadways.