Case dismissed against Gladstone Post commander

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI--   The commander of the Michigan State Police Gladstone Post will not go to trial in Chippewa County on a drunken driving charge. 

The case against Lieutenant William Smith was dismissed Wednesday. 

Smith refused a field sobriety test when he was arrested July 7 after he got into an accident with his personal vehicle.  During a preliminary exam the defense said a search warrant to check Smith’s blood alcohol level while he was jailed was signed by a non-acting magistrate of the court.  The defense asked that a test registering a blood alcohol level of .13 be dismissed as a result.  The legal limit is .08.  The judge agreed and threw out the case. 

It’s unknown whether or not Smith will resume his duties at the Gladstone Post.