Top School Official Charged With DUI In Southington: Police

SOUTHINGTON/MIDDLEBURY, CT — The school chief for Regional School District 15 (Middlebury/Southbury) will appear in court next month for a DUI charge in his hometown of Southington last month.

According to the Southington Police Department, Joshua Smith, 52, of Brooklane Road, Southington, was charged on Jan. 18 with operating under the influence of alcohol/drugs and failure to drive in the proper lane at 1:40 a.m. that morning.

After a Jan. 31 court appearance, Smith — released on $10,000 bond — is expected to appear in New Britain Superior Court on March 12 and has yet to make a plea, according to online court records.

The charges, police said, stem from a crash that morning in which a local roadway was closed for hours.

In a statement from police released Monday morning, the SPD said at about 1:02 a.m. on Jan. 18, officers were called to a single-vehicle crash near 624 Mulberry St., Southington.

Police said responding officers discovered a 2015 Lexus "had driven off the roadway and struck a utility pole."

After striking the pole, police said, the momentum of the vehicle continued and struck another vehicle parked in the driveway of a residence on Mulberry Street.

As a result, the roadway was closed for several hours while Eversource Energy responded to replace the damaged utility pole, the SPD said.

Police said the Lexus was traveling eastbound on Mulberry Street when the operator failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway.

Smith, police said, was the sole occupant of this Lexus.

According to the SPD, Smith claimed he was not injured as a result of the collision and was not transported to the hospital.

Smith is the superintendent of schools for Regional School District 15, which oversees Pomperaug High School in Middlebury, with Southbury students also attending school there.

District 15 Board of Education Chairperson Marion Manzo on Monday morning said the school board has addressed the matter with Smith.

She released a statement from the board:

"The board would like to address information about our Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Joshua Smith, that has garnered media and community attention.

"Mr. Smith fully and candidly informed the board chairperson of this serious matter promptly after it occurred. The full board then promptly and thoroughly reviewed this matter and has addressed it with Mr. Smith.

"Mr. Smith has served Region 15 for seven years and has a demonstrated track record of successful, trustworthy leadership. The board is confident that Mr. Smith will continue to lead our district with excellence and integrity."

On Jan. 22, according to meeting minutes, the District 15 school board conducted a special meeting "regarding a performance matter concerning the superintendent."

All discussions took place in closed session, according to minutes, with a board attorney present that evening.

No action was taken beyond votes to exit the closed session and adjourn the meeting, the minutes show.

For the minutes of the Jan. 22 special meeting of the Regional School District 15 Board of Education, click on this link.