David Dean Smyth-Stevens, 37, of LaPorte, has been charged in LaPorte Circuit Court after police allege he crashed his vehicle into a roundabout while driving intoxicated with his 4-year-old daughter in the vehicle.  

According to court documents, Westville Police were dispatched at approximately 10:44 p.m. on June 25 to the roundabout at U.S. Highway 6 and State Road 2 after receiving a report of a vehicle that had driven over the roundabout and was leaking fluid. Officers found a heavily damaged Chrysler Town & Country stopped in the middle of the roundabout with severe front-end and undercarriage damage and deployed airbags.  

Police said Smyth-Stevens was standing outside the vehicle while a female passenger remained inside. A 4-year-old child, who was secured in a child safety seat behind the driver’s seat, complained that her mouth hurt, prompting officers to request emergency medical personnel to the scene.  

According to court documents, officers observed Smyth-Stevens with blood on his face, hands, arms and legs. Police reported he was unsteady on his feet, had glossy eyes and emitted the odor of an alcoholic beverage. He agreed to perform standardized field sobriety tests, during which officers alleged he displayed multiple signs of impairment.  

Police said Smyth-Stevens later submitted to a portable breath test, which registered a blood alcohol concentration of 0.279%. After being transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries suffered in the crash, he consented to a blood draw. Court documents state laboratory testing measured his blood alcohol concentration at 0.368. He was treated for abrasions, a closed head injury and alcohol intoxication before being medically cleared and transported to the LaPorte County Jail.  

Court records state Smyth-Stevens has a prior operating while intoxicated conviction from 2025, resulting in additional felony allegations.  

Lodged in the Laporte County Jail. 

Charges filed June 26, 2026:

Neglect of a Dependent, Level 6 Felony 

Operating a Vehicle With an ACE of .15 or More With a Passenger Under 18, Level 6 Felony 

Operating While Intoxicated – Prior Conviction Within Seven Years, Level 6 Felony 

Operating While Intoxicated Endangering a Person, Class A Misdemeanor 

Operating a Vehicle With an ACE of .15 or More, Class A Misdemeanor 

Operating While Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor