PRESS RELEASE
Bellows Falls Police Department
170 Rockingham Street Bellows Falls VT
802-463-1234
CASE #: 21BF002666
OFFICER: Ofc. Ian Tuttle & Sgt. Mario Checchi
DATE/TIME: 10/21/2021 at approximately
1553 hours
LOCATION (specific): Atkinson St, Bellows Falls & Rte 5, Westminster
VIOLATION: Negligent Operation, Driving Under the Influence,
and Leaving the Scene of an Accident
ACCUSED: Kristen S. Smithwick (age 35)
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Falmouth, Massachusetts
SUMMARY OF INCIDENT: On October 21st,
2021, at approximately 1553 hours, an officer with the Bellows Falls Police
Department arrested Kristen S. Smithwick, age 35, of Falmouth, Massachusetts for
negligent operation, driving under the influence, and leaving the scene of an
accident.
Bellows Falls Dispatch received numerous calls regarding an erratic driver
traveling northbound on Route 5 in the Town of Westminster almost into the
Village of Bellows Falls. The vehicle was described as being all over the road
and traveling at a high rate of speed. It was also reported that there was
damage to the front of the vehicle.
Officers located the vehicle on Atkinson St and made contact with
operator, Smithwick. Signs of impairment were observer and Standardized Field
Sobriety Tests were administered. At the conclusion of the tests, Smithwick was
placed under arrest for suspicion of DUI and negligent operation. It was
subsequently discovered that Smithwick had struck a street sign causing damage on
Route 5 in the Town of Westminster in the area of a local automotive shop and
failed to notify anyone regarding this. Smithwick was additionally charged with
leaving the scene of an accident.
