DUI Blogger

Reality television star Jessica Smith, who appeared on all three seasons of the hit show “Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County” pleaded guilty to one charge of misdemeanor drunk driving. She was sentenced on July 6 to three years of probation, ordered to perform 80 hours of community service and pay $1,300 in fines and penalties, according to an article posted on Fox News’ Web site. Smith did not appear herself in Orange County Superior Court, but her attorney entered the plea, the article said.

The 19-year-old was arrested in March on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, a felony, after she crashed her 1999 Volkswagen Beetle into the back of an Acura on the San Diego (5) Freeway in Mission Viejo. According to a California Highway Patrol report at the time, Smith could not stop her car in time to avoid hitting the Acura and the causes for the accident included Smith’s level of intoxication, speed and the wet freeway. A March article in The Orange County Register stated the driver of the Acura suffered minor injuries, as did Smith’s passenger in the Beetle. Although Smith was arrested on suspicion of a felony DUI at the time because there were injuries involved, the charge was later reduced to a misdemeanor with the injuries being not serious, officials said. Smith, a student at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, was only one of two cast members in the “Laguna Beach” reality show to appear in a major role in all three seasons.