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New Charges Filed Against Man Charged In Century Hit And Run That Injured Five
March 3, 2025
New charges have been filed against a Panama City man for a hit and run crash February 1 in Century that injured five people, including children.
Following the crash, Dexter Ivey Smith, 35, was charged by the Florida Highway Patrol 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 existed, the charges were dropped, and Smith was released from custody.
Last week, Smith was charged multiple updated charges. He was charged with five counts of felony hit and run for failure to stop or remain on scene at a crash with injury, driving with a revoked license, and misdemeanor battery. Court records show a careless driving citation against Smith is also still 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.
He is due back in court in June.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
6 Responses to “New Charges Filed Against Man Charged In Century Hit And Run That Injured Five”
The Judges in this county need common sense. They are arrogant demeaning and quite frankly should be held accountable for their decisions. Gone are the days when qualified immunity was necessary. Get them out of office.
It’s not the judge at all, it’s the Troopers fantastic investigation.
I like how everybody thinks they’re smarter than the judge. “A big nose” is not probable cause. They probably had to positively put him behind the wheel for the charges to stick. Otherwise, he may have been found innocent.
Maybe that so-called Judge needs to go back to school and learn what “Probable Cause” is. She might need glasses too. This guy has a past, present and his future should be in prison.
That Judge needs to step down and destroy her credentials. No probable cause my elbow!!!! Written in black and white—-what did she need. And now to be in court in June??? He should be in a padded cell now and maybe the bars welded.
This law system has gotten so soft and shabby. Just saying
So community outrage over the charges being dropped the first time helped make things clearer for the state’s attorney.