West Newton man charged with DUI in crash that injured girl, 16

A West Newton man faces a preliminary hearing next month on charges he was drunk when he crashed in South Huntingdon Township in January, injuring a 16-year-old girl.

Jamie Alan Smith, 44, is charged with child endangerment, driving under the influence, accidents involving injury by an unlicensed driver and several summary vehicle code violations.

In court papers released this week, state police said they were called to Apples Mills Road on Jan. 12 and found a car that had crashed into a ditch. Police say Smith told them he was driving his daughter home from breakfast and provided incorrect answers to a trooper’s questions about the girl’s age and where he lives, according to court papers.

Smith admitted to having “too much” to drink and he refused field sobriety tests, police said in an affidavit.

A blood test revealed his blood-alcohol content was 0.213% — more than twice the legal limit to drive, which is 0.08%. Smith’s license had been suspended for a past drunken-driving offense, police said.

The girl had to be extricated from the vehicle. She had a broken nose, black eye and facial bruising, police said.

When reached by the Tribune-Review Wednesday, Smith said he “messed up.”

“I feel horrible about it,” he said.

A summons was issued. Smith is set to appear before a judge May 29.