Howard County Coroner Dr. Steven Seele has released the results and cause of death from the fatal accident that occurred on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at approximately 10:04 a.m.
The Howard County Sheriff’s Department responded to a two-vehicle accident involving a semi-tractor trailer on State Road 35 just east of 400 East.
The scene investigation revealed the driver of a 2008 Ford Focus, 58 year old Donald L. Smith of Kokomo, was traveling westbound on U.S. 35 when he crossed over into the eastbound lane hitting a semi-tractor pulling a trailer head-on. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene from blunt force trauma to the head, chest, abdomen, and pelvis at 10:16 a.m. The driver of the semi, John E. Jones, age 57, of Warren Michigan was not injured. Smith and Jones were the only occupants in the vehicles.
Autopsy and toxicology results revealed that Smith was under the influence of multiple prescription medications that resulted in a mixed drug intoxication at the time of accident.
Dr. Seele warns that many medications, including prescription and over the counter medications have warnings for a reason. These substances can cause impairment which can be exacerbated especially when mixed. Captain Jerry Asher of the Howard County Sheriff’s Department also advises that driving under the influence of drugs, including prescription medications is just as illegal as driving under the influence of alcohol and can result in DUI charges.