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Judge Says No Probable Cause For Charges Against Man Charged In Century Hit And Run That Injured Five
February 10, 2025
A judge says there is no probable cause for charges against a Panama City man that was charged with a hit and run crash February 1 in Century that injured five people, including children.
Following the crash, Dexter Ivey Smith, 35, was charged with felony hit and run for failure to stop or remain on scene at a crash with injury, along with misdemeanor battery and driving with a revoked license. According to court records, Escambia County Judge Kristiana Lightel found that no probable cause exists, the charges were dropped, and Smith was released from custody.
After the ruling, FHP filed a careless driving citation against Smith. That case is pending.
The crash happened just before 8 p.m. February 1 on Highway 29 near the southern town limits.
The driver of a northbound pickup truck was struck by a northbound SUV driven by Smith approached at a high rate of speed, according to troopers. The pickup truck overturned multiple times, coming to rest on the shoulder just north of Salter’s Lake Road. Smith’s SUV rotated into the paved median of Highway 29.
The 38-year-old female driver of the pickup truck and her passengers — a 45-year-old male, 18-year-old male, 13-year-old male and a 6-year-old female — all sustained minor injuries and were transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS.
A witness told troopers that a white male in his mid-thirties with short black hair and a long nose fled from the scene. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office later received a report of a man matching the description outside a nearby home. The witness identified Smith as the driver that fled the scene of the crash.
FHP said Smith was charged with battery for throwing a flashlight at the passenger of the second vehicle.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
14 Responses to “Judge Says No Probable Cause For Charges Against Man Charged In Century Hit And Run That Injured Five”
Sounds like a lack of investigation skills. Just like the accident at 29/196 a year ago. It took FHP 4 reports to get it right , and it cost the people involved huge. Like having their lively hood taken away.
Sounds crazy
It’s not the judge’s fault. Probable cause has to be in the arrest affidavit. If not, it’s not probable cause.
The LEO has to meet the standard in the report. Here’s your definition
Probable cause is a requirement found in the Fourth Amendment that must usually be met before police make an arrest , conduct a search , or receive a warrant . Courts usually find probable cause when there is a reasonable basis for believing that a crime may have been committed (for an arrest) or when evidence of the crime is present in the place to be searched (for a search ). Under exigent circumstances , probable cause can also justify a warrantless search or seizure . Persons arrested without a warrant are required to be brought before a competent authority shortly after the arrest for a prompt judicial determination of probable cause.
SERIOUSLY??? This is totally wrong, no matter how you look at it.
A lack of probable cause would mean there is a lack of objective evidence that an individual committed a crime, as charged.
I would suspect an arrest was made too early without adequate hard evidence that could be proven beyond a reasonable doubt (at least at this time).
The message to investigators and prosecutors from the judge would be to be more thorough before making an arrest.
What dose proable cause mean in this case.
Wow amazing the charges dropped
So it’s not necessary to 1) Have a license 2) Drive safely 3) Stop at the scene of the accident you caused 4) assist people who are injured. Got it. Drive with impunity!!! Thanks judge Lightel.
Somethings not right here…
What is going on? This is crazy!
What!!!?? Something definitely fishy in this story?? I am going to write down this judges name, I think the judge may of even pushed for this type of convection, other than that the government has blood stains in their hands.
I will be sure to write down this judge’s name for future reference. This is a travesty of justice! Something does not smell right in this ruling!
He must have had Perry Mason?
Sounds like to me someone dropped the ball without enough reason!!!