Bennettsville Officer Terminated After Off-Duty DUI Charge

Detective Tyler Smith was arrested on a DUI charge while off duty in a city-owned vehicle.

A Bennettsville police officer has officially been terminated from his position.

Over the weekend, detective Tyler Smith was arrested on a DUI charge while off duty in a city-owned vehicle.

Around 2:20am on Saturday, Smith crashed a Ford pick-up truck into a tree while traveling along ridgeway road. His blood alcohol concentration was not publicly revealed, but records list his charge as “DUI, less than 0.10.”

The South Carolina Highway Patrol conducted an investigation as the department conducted its own internal administration review. In result of the review, Smith’s employment with the department was terminated effective Monday.

Officials said the department has used the situation as an opportunity to review and strengthen existing policies and procedures.