SEQUIM — The deputy mayor of Sequim has been scheduled for a January court date on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol.
Dennis Smith is scheduled to appear in Clallam County District Court at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 27, court officials said.
Smith, 68, was arrested Dec. 14 for investigation of driving under the influence of alcohol after he was involved in a minor traffic collision, according to the Sequim Police Department.
He was booked into the Clallam County jail Dec. 14 and released early Dec. 15.
Smith pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charge at his Dec. 19 arraignment.
Police said the vehicle Smith was driving struck another vehicle from behind in the traffic circle at Port Williams Road and Sequim-Dungeness Way.
Occupants in both vehicles declined medical assistance, police said.
A blood sample was taken, but the results of a toxicology report to determine Smith’s blood-alcohol level have not yet
been issued.
The case was turned over to the State Patrol to remove any question about the councilman receiving preferential treatment.
“It’s not being handled by the city,” Sequim City Attorney Craig Ritchie said.
“We don’t deal with it because it would be difficult.”
Smith said he had taken his eyes off the road to check for oncoming traffic on Sequim-Dungeness Way when the driver in front of him stopped.
Smith, an Air Force retiree, was appointed to the City Council in October 2012 and ran unopposed in 2013.
Ritchie said Smith’s pending case “won’t have anything to do with his ability to serve on the council.”
A felony conviction would be cause for dismissal from the council.
Driving under the influence is a gross misdemeanor for first-time offenders, which Smith would be if convicted.
Smith has made no indication that he plans to resign from the council.
“I think he came in the other day to pick up his mail,” Ritchie said.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
