A Donaldson woman pleaded no contest Monday to striking a pedestrian with her vehicle last year in the parking lot of a Hot Springs business while she was under the influence of drugs.
Desha Marie Smedley, 30, appeared in Garland County Circuit Court and pleaded no contest to a felony count of first-degree battery and was sentenced to 10 years' probation and fined $2,500. She also pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and was sentenced to one year in jail, with the entire sentence suspended, fined $600 and ordered to pay $320 in court costs.
Smedley, who was previously convicted of driving while intoxicated in 2006 and possession of a controlled substance in 2012, had reportedly completed an assessment program at Quapaw House, including a DWI class.
According to the affidavit, on Oct. 19, 2015, shortly after 6 p.m., Hot Springs police Officer Patrick Langley responded to the 1000 block of Malvern Avenue in reference to an injury accident involving a pedestrian.
According to an earlier report, the victim, Jose Pulido, was taking the trash from a business to the roadside when he was struck by a vehicle. Witnesses stated Smedley was driving north on Malvern when she veered across both southbound lanes and drove over the sidewalk and lawn of the business, striking Pulido in the driveway.
Langley made contact with Smedley at the scene and noted she showed signs of being under the influence of a controlled substance. She reportedly stated she was "in recovery." He located a syringe next to Smedley's vehicle and she was transported to CHI St. Vincent Hospital Hot Springs for a blood draw.
Pulido suffered injuries including pelvic fractures, multiple contusions, bruising to his lungs and skull fractures, according to the affidavit.
On Feb. 13, 2016, toxicology results from the state crime lab determined that Smedley was positive for benzodiazepines and methamphetamine. A warrant was issued and she was taken into custody on March 28 and later released on $3,500 bond.
Local on 08/30/2016