Woman Arrested After Hit-and-Run Leads to Discovery of Stolen Vehicle and Drugs2 min read

By Tracie Sullivan, For Iron County Today

A woman is facing multiple felony charges after a hit-and-run crash uncovered a stolen vehicle, false identification, and drug-related items.

Dusti Leann Smith, 36, was arrested Nov. 9 near the scene of the accident after police allegedly connected her to the stolen property and other criminal activity.

Smith was charged with receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle and producing or transferring false identification, both second-degree felonies. She is also accused of several misdemeanors including; possession or use of a controlled substance, use or possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to disclose her identity, and failing to comply with vehicle accident duties.

The incident leading to Smith’s arrest began when officers were dispatched to a reported traffic collision involving a Subaru Crosstrek. 

According to court records filed in support of the charges, Smith made an improper U-turn, causing the collision. When exchanging information with the other driver, she allegedly provided a passport as identification that was later found to belong to someone else.  

While waiting for police to arrive at the scene of the accident, Smith reportedly locked the vehicle and fled on foot, leaving behind the other party involved in the collision.

Witnesses described Smith as wearing black clothing, a pink beanie hat, orange-tinted sunglasses, pink slippers, and a fuzzy black-and-white fanny pack.  

Police searched the area, alerting local businesses to be on the lookout for someone matching her description. Shortly thereafter, officers found  Smith near IFA, wearing clothes that matched the description provided by the victim.  

Smith refused to provide her name during questioning, but the victim of the crash was able to confirm she was the one who had “caused the accident,” the affidavit states. Police also found the stolen passport in Smith’s possession. 

In addition, officers found the pink beanie hat described by witnesses left inside the IFA store where they had arrested Smith.

A search of her belongings uncovered keys to the stolen Subaru Crosstrek. Inside Smith’s fanny pack, officers also found several items associated with drug use, including a methamphetamine pipe with residue, a straw with a melted end, tin foil, and a substance resembling methamphetamine.  

Smith was booked into the Iron County Correctional Facility. Authorities requested she be held without bail, citing her lack of cooperation and refusal to provide identification.