Cushing woman accused of drunk driving & hitting pole

  STILLWATER — A 47-year-old Cushing woman accused of driving under the influence of alcohol and hitting a utility pole at Deep Rock Rd. and Linwood Ave. has been ordered to appear in court on Sept. 22 on a felony DUI charge along with a misdemeanor count of leaving the scene of a property damage accident.

   Due to her criminal in Lincoln County, Catina Nichelle Smith, who has also been known by the surname of Casey, could be incarcerated for 11 years if convicted of both counts filed in Payne County last week. Smith was released from jail on $15,000 bond the day after her arrest, court records show.

   Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Matt Stacy was notified at about 2:15 pm on Aug. 12 of “a single vehicle collision near the intersection of Deep Rock Rd. and Linwood Ave.,” according to his affidavit filed last week.

   The trooper’s affidavit alleged, “While enroute, Stacy heard radio traffic indicating that the driver had struck a utility pole and was last seen running away from the vehicle into a field. Stacy arrived at the area and observed a white Nissan Xterra against a wooden OG&E utility pole east of Linwood Ave. The Nissan had severe front-end damage that was consistent with a collision.

   “Stacy made contact with a Payne County deputy, who informed him that the driver had been located in the woods northeast of the collision. Smith had blood on her clothes but no obvious injuries. Stacy requested an ambulance to the scene to check Smith for injuries.

   “Smith told Stacy that she was traveling northbound on Linwood Ave. when she met her estranged husband driving southbound on Linwood Ave. Smith stated that (he) ran her off the road and caused her to depart the road to the right and strike the utility pole…Smith’s estranged husband was later interviewed and confirmed to have been at work at the time of the collision.

   “Smith stated that she ran from the vehicle because she was unsure what to do. Stacy asked Smith whether she had tried calling 911 for help, and Smith stated that she had not. Stacy observed a strong odor related to an alcoholic beverage emanating from Smith’s breath and person.

   “Stacy asked Smith if she had consumed any alcohol, and she stated she had a shot of vodka the night before the collision. Stacy informed her that he thought she had consumed more than that, and she stated she had consumed two additional shots of vodka earlier in the day, approximately two hours before the crash.

   “Stacy asked Smith if she had consumed any illegal drugs, and she stated, ‘nothing illegal. Medical marijuana isn’t illegal.’ Smith then stated she takes 25 mg THC gummies, but she does not have a valid medical marijuana card. Smith stated the last gummy she consumed was the night before the collision.

   “A witness was identified and stated that he saw the collision after it occurred. He observed Smith standing near the vehicle with a pit bull on a leash, so he checked to see if she was okay. Smith told him she was okay and told him that she swerved off the road to avoid a deer in the roadway.

   “The witness told Smith that he was going to call the police because she had struck the utility pole. Smith then told him not to call the police and ran northbound on Linwood Ave. before entering the thick woods east of Linwood Ave. Smith was treated by the Cushing Fire Department and was determined to have no injuries requiring an emergency transfer.

   ‘Stacy then placed Smith under arrest for suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or other intoxicating substances. When asked if she would take the (blood) test, Smith replied, ‘No, because I’m going to go to prison for seven years…because I’ve had three DUIs.

   “The collision was investigated by Captain Jeff James, who determined that Smith was traveling northbound on Linwood Ave. at a high rate of speed. Smith entered the curves at the intersection of Linwood Ave. and Deep Rock Rd. too fast to safely negotiate and lost control.

   “Smith then departed the road to the right and struck the utility pole where the Nissan came to rest. There was no indication of another vehicle being involved. Stacy then transported Smith to Hillcrest Hospital in Cushing where she was medically cleared for jail.”

   According to the state Department of Corrections and Lincoln County court records, Smith under the surname of Casey was charged in 2012 with felony child endangerment by DUI and also drug possession for which she was placed on probation in 2013 for five years under a deferred sentence that was changed in 2016 to three years in prison of which she served 11 months prior to her release in 2017.