Folly Beach police officer on administrative leave after DUI arrest

FOLLY BEACH, SC (WCSC) - Authorities say a Folly Beach police officer accused of driving under the influence had 27 Oxycodone pills, which was prescribed for someone else, in his marked car.

Sergeant Shane Smith was arrested on James Island Wednesday night after state troopers say he hit a car with his police SUV and drove off.

Smith is facing a DUI charge in the incident and showed up in bond court Thursday afternoon. His wife and a chaplain with the Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy were in bond court to support the officer.

A judge then gave Smith a PR bond which means he doesn’t have to pay any money to get out of jail.

State troopers say around 7:15 p.m. Smith ran into the back of a 2016 Honda at the intersection of Highway 78 and College Park Road in Ladson where he lives.

Smith spoke with the driver of the Honda but left the scene, said Matt Southern with Highway Patrol.

Dispatch then got calls about an erratic driver and a “be on the lookout” was released for Smith’s car, according to Southern.

A City of Charleston police officer found Smith on Folly Road and conducted a traffic stop.

Troopers responded and determined Smith was driving under the influence. He blew a 0.00 on the datamaster, but refused a blood and urine test, according to Southern.

Folly Beach police chief Andrew Gilreath said Smith was suspected of driving under the influence of “some type of medication.”

“Sgt. Smith is being placed on administrative leave, and immediately being placed under an internal investigation by our agency in tandem with any criminal charge he may face,” Gilreath said.

Patrol cars were seen in the area of Folly Road near Pittsford Circle where they were seen taking Smith into custody.

Agencies responding included Folly Beach police, Charleston police, the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office and Highway Patrol.

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