Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Freddie Smith Charged With OVI and Vehicular Assault In Car Crash Incident!
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
The latest report from the Star-Beacon, the local Ashtabula, Ohio news and online outlet, has that Days of our Lives star Freddie Smith (Sonny Kiriakis) was formally charged Friday with operating a vehicle while intoxicated and vehicular assault, according to the Ashtabula County Prosecutor’s office.
From the Ohio State Highway Patrol: Freddie 26, was legally drunk on October 7th when he crashed his car on Route 84 in Kingsville Township Smith, lost control of the Mazda 6 he was driving on a curve in the road. His girlfriend, actress Alyssa Tabit, 27, of North Hollywood, Calif., was seriously injured in the crash and is now recovering from her injuries. OSHP also reported that Smith’s blood alcohol test result was .093, when the legal limit in Ohio is .08.
In terms of the charges: Vehicular assault is a fourth-degree felony, and the OVI charge is a first-degree misdemeanor, Ashtabula County Assistant Prosecutor Cecilia Cooper revealed. (In Ohio, OVI is an acronym for Operating a Vehicle Impaired). An arraignment date has not been set.
So what do you think of the charges brought upon Freddie Smith and information from the OHSP? Share your thoughts below!
Don’t drink and drive. Period.
Hope he gets a good 20-40 years in prison. I have no sympathy for these drunk drivers whether it be Colleen Zenk-Pinter or Kristoff St. John or this douche.
After all the public info campaigns and education about NOT drinking and driving, people still do. I’ll never understand it.
Call a cab. Call a friend for a ride. Call a car service. Just do NOT drink and drive.
As far as Freddie goes, he’s damn lucky he didn’t kill someone.
This might be a dumb question, but was is OVI?
Did you read the article?
Yes. Why don’t they just call it a DWI or DUI? This is my first time of hearing of an OVI.
I think it is just an issue of what different states call it.
@Lou…Michael gives the definition in the article but I’d never heard that acronym either. LOL…yes, why DON’T they just keep it as DWI or DUI or DUMB? 😉
Ohio changed the wording in 1982..it still stands for the same charge.
the article said operating a vehicle impaired……………………
Operating a Vehicle under the Influence – OVI
I think they change it from DUI to OVI to make it clearer that you can get charge for operating a vehicle, not just while driving it, meaning if you go in your car drunk, turn on the engine and fall asleep, the cops could still charge you with impairment– it is just a more precise term for what the law covers than driving—
I like Freddie Smith on Days Of Our Lives and hope he will stay with the serial for many years in his break-through role. The injuries from the car accident and the pending trial could keep him off Days Of Our Lives for a long time. So hard for an actor to juggle his work life and keep his personal life and problems in balance at the same time.
And the injuries more seriously attached to his passenger??? If he’s not done he will be. Ohio takes great joy in low level cases that cause major hoopla on a national stage. He’s going to be jailed!!!
Do you have an idea of how long he will be jailed?
He should serve a good 20 years in prison.
His blood alcohol level means they could double hits sentencing time. He will have to serve some time or the courts will look bad.
They are lessening the charges. Only vehicular assault even though the law states it should aggravated vehicular assault. He will get with a wrist slap. Disgraceful.
Hopefully this does not affect Freddie’s career and he uses it as a wake up call. He and his girlfriend were very lucky to not be more seriously injured. I think Freddie is a good guy who made a stupid mistake that millions of others have made. Let him do some public service and move forward. Best wishes to his girlfriend for a swift and speedy recovery.
“… Freddie is a good guy who made a stupid mistake ”
I can only hope… that he and his girlfriend work through this and just look forward
it’s a mindless misdeed.. that shouldn’t go unpunished (inexcusable)
Don’t GLOSS over a laminated page…it distorts the TEXT…or do I mean TRUTH
Just as a frame of reference until about a decade ago the legal limit in most states was .10. The federal government coerced states to lower it to .08 in order to receive highway funding.
That is not to in any way excuse what Freddie has done – he took a stupid risk, violated the law, and caused harm to himself, his girlfriend, and his vehicle. He is VERY lucky the injuries were not more severe.
However, to put it into context I do think it helps to understand that this young man was not exactly falling down drunk. The amount of alcohol in his system was relatively small. More likely he is a characteristically dangerous and speedy driver and that plus the small amount of alcohol caught up with him.
I reiterate that I hope he learns his lesson and makes wiser choices in the future. However I do not think that this needs to have any major repercussions on his career. There won’t be a trial or anything like that. He will lose his licence for a time and possibly do some community service. That is the appropriate punishment here.
Drinking and driving, texting and driving, distracted driving – it is all the same thing.
When it comes down to it, most Americans fail to remember that
DRIVING IS A PRIVILEGE NOT A RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And whenever you have a passenger, you have precious cargo. You need to be responsible for those in your vehicle and those other vehicles on the road.
I am so sick of the irresponsible people behind the wheel – and it isn’t just automobiles. Look at the casualties from public transportation – ferries and trains. This world needs to wake up and realize it is not all about the individual and his/her needs like no one else exists.
OOPS! I forgot to add to my last message that if Days Of Our Lives tapes 4 months and a half ahead of schedule, it will probably be in late February when we notice Freddie Smith is not on Days so much, if he took time out to heal from his injuries and the pending trial.
Put him in jail, what a jerk for drinking and driving. His girlfriend almost died. I hope Days of Our Lives fires Freddie Smith, and recasts the role of Sonny. Freddie you should have taken the cab, give your head a shake Freddy.
I dont understand why he wasnt given a DUI at the time of the accident. The police report stated alcohol and speed were involved.
I’ve heard of..
DWI .. DUI .. but never of OVI …
I’m happy they were not DOA!
Freddie is a really fine young man. I hope people who were affected to forgive him.
I perfectly know that what he feels right now is enough torture.
I wish that Freddie remain strong, my wishes also go to Alyssa that she will get healed.
we all need to be positive and learn from all incidents of our lives and others as well !
we love you Freddie and Alyssa !
From the severity of the crash and injuries it sounds like the charges should be more serious then a misdemeanor and fourth level felony. Hope he takes these charges seriously and gets the help he needs. If he needs to leave the show for that to happen then he should, dealing with this and why he thought it was OK to drink and drive is most important. He is so lucky no one was killed.
It’s very sad that he chose to drive drunk and not only put himself and his passenger at risk, but others on the road as well. He’s lucky he didn’t kill anyone. I wonder why his passenger got in the car with him. Was she sober?
How many times have we had imprinted in our brains DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE. I like Freddie and love the character of Sonny, but what he did was wrong, and should be held accounted for the actions he’s caused. This is simply unacceptable. He could’ve killed himself, his girlfriend or anyone else for that matter, due to his negligence on the road. I’m disappointed.
He will get a slap an the wrist. My sister has a problem and has maybe 6 or 7 DUI in Ohio. She didn’t serve time until maybe the 4 or 5th. Probation is my guess.
Did she injure anyone at anytime all that happened? I sure hope you and your family stepped in with an intervention! That’s certainly nothing to brag about. He caused injuries in an accident!
No One hurt. You can’t force an addict to get help. I’m using the tough love approach.
Sad but true 🙁
Michelle.. Tough love is more than closing your eyes in the middle of winter and hoping when you open them it’s SUMMER… she needs your help before she’s in the news.. Hopefully she’s better but if not….
Lawyers will plead it down probation community service fines probably request rehab. My girlfriend was killed by a drunk driver a year ago the person has still not went to trial and still running around taking no responsibility for the tragedy. He does not need to continue to have a job show him the exit door.
So sorry. I can’t imagine how you feel. . But that would leave me with a lifetime of anger!
Thanks I know I came off harsh about this actor but I have zero tolerance for these actions stay home and celebrate or get a designated driver. He made a mistake yes I would like to think he will learn something from it but I am sorry we have hollywood and politicians out there excusing their behavior with look at me I am a big shot when most of them aren’t fit to kiss my boots. Private business owner never have drawn an unemployment check in my life raised by a farmer and a business owner we were never given a chance for excuses you screwed up you owned it. Rant over!
Also just so you will know she did make-up and hair for a lot of Broadway shows she was a wonderful human being. SO actors take note please do not drink and drive stay home or hire a driver you have the money!
k/kay…girlfriend…you have EVERY RIGHT to be H-A-R-S-H!!!!! As far as I’m concerned, drunk drivers are nothing but CONNIVING CREEPS AND COWARDS who act like they’re above the law…which they AIN’T!!!!! Honey…the fact that your girlfriend’s killer (one year later) is STILL running around and all scot-free…N-O. That just proves to me that THE SO-CALLED JUDICIAL SYSTEM in our country is STILL W-A-Y TOO LENIENT when it comes to drunk drivers!!!!! k/kay, check this out: Back in the early ’90’s (1991, I think), a friend of my mom’s had an older brother who was killed by a drunk driver. He was less than 10 minutes away from his house (aka almost home) when this happened. His killer (a female college student who was B-O-T-H drunk and high as a kite!!!!!) got off scot-free!!!!! No jail and/or prison time, no license REVOKED…NOTHING!!!!! To this day, this COWARDLY CHICK (whoever she is) REMAINS FREE!!!!! BEYOND UNFAIR!!!!! k/kay…if you wouldn’t mind, I will keep you and your friend’s family in my thoughts and in my prayers. k/kay…STAY STRONG SWEETHEART!!!!!
Peace.
I was going to leave this alone but here goes about a year ago every soap columnist in the world was hanging a wonderful actor out to dry for a alleged sexual harrassement charge. Unfounded charges bullshit rumors! But somehow when a actor pulls a dumb shit act like driving drunk he is just misunderstood. I am sorry everybody is sick with their double standards! I hope this actor has a wake up call but to even put thes guys in the same ball park makes me sick!
Am I angry you dam right I am thanks Jaybird you are a nice guy!!!
Kudos to k/kay and jay! And my sincere sympathies to k/kay.
People need to be held accountable for their crimes, particularly when there is loss of life or personal injury. As so many others at this thread have stated eloquently, there is no reason to get behind the wheel of a car impaired in any way. In addition to drunk drivers and high drivers, we also have to worry about texting drivers. As I learned in driver’s ed (a long, long time ago), driving is a privilege, one that takes skill and responsibility. Distractions and impairments adversely affect the operation of a motor vehicle.
If one is impaired, there is no dishonor in asking for assistance to return home safely. And most friends/family won’t mind providing that assistance, especially in lieu of the possibly deadly alternatives…
When you make choices you chose the consequences of that choice, by choosing to drive while impaired you are accepting the risk that you could cause an accident, kill or seriously injured an innocent bystander and risk being charged and convicted of various things.
I just don’t understand in this day and age when the risk factors of driving while impaired is so well known and proclaim, why people don’t have some kind of alternative mode of getting home in place if they chose to drink is beyond me. You don’t have to be falling down drunk to be impaired, which why so many still believe they are okay to drive, they don’t think they are “drunk”.
Being charged and being convicted are two different things, so he will have his day in court to either take responsibility for his choice or prove they are wrong about his impairment level. But whatever the outcome in the court room I hope he will use his status and experience to help the public awareness campaign against driving and drinking.
I agree Mary SF… you think everything is fine until that engine kicks over. . You’re no longer caught up in the partying mayhem but on the street. . In a car. . Calmed down. . And THAT’S when the alcohol kicks in! !
The prosecutor is lessening the charges. Because the OHP and the victim family asked him too. So he will walk away scott free. He will do no time. and maybe pay a fine. That’s what it means to be a celeb in this country. You get to do what you want but you don’t get due punishment because you’re a celeb. Oh and MAYBE he’ll get probation. Big whoop, he will be in Calif. So what does he care and what do calif laws care. It truly is sad when appropriate charges are not filed because of who you are.
I think they should give him a chance. Since it is just his first time.
That is what is wrong with this country.
Oh, it’s just his FIRST time. So when he is a distracted driver (in any capacity the next time), what do you think should happen?
I repeat, DRIVING IS A PRIVILEGE AND NOT A RIGHT!
We don’t know if Freddie Smith has anything else on his driving record from the past, nor if he has any past charges on him, so we assume this is his first-time offense.
If the girlfriend wanted to press charges of her own against him for drunk driving and negligence, dangerous and reckless driving, putting her in harm, whatever a lawyer could add to it, she most certainly could do that.
There is nothing for us to think about the charges against Freddie. They are what they are. I would like to know the penalties for both charges. Is jail time a possibility? If so, the writers may have to write in a temporary trip out of Salem for Sonny so that he can fulfill his obligation to the State of Ohio.
I am glad Freddie and his girlfriend are okay.
I don’t think the authorities in Ohio will care one hill of beans about what Days of our lives fans think about their decisions in this matter.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Kristen Locates an Alive Sophia, How Much Does Rita Know About the Birth of Dominic Marino?
Next week, expected surprises and schemes on Days of our Lives. In official spoilers for episodes streaming on Peacock from October 5-9, it looks like Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) has hunted down a very much alive Sophia Choi (Rachel Boyd), while Marlena (Deidre Hall) admits a deeply concerning confession to her daughter Belle (Martha Madison), and more.
As previously reported, Tajh Bellow (ex-TJ Ashford, General Hospital) is stepping in for one day for Tyler Joseph Andrews in the role of Theo Carver and will share scenes with Gabi (Cherie Jimenez), where Theo finally agrees to go along with Gabi’s plan, after she offered him a job.
Meanwhile, Gabi may have her hands full with Philip (John-Paul Lavoisier) whose big win in Monte Carlo may have sparked his gambling addiction … all over again, but Philip reveals her has a plan.
Photo: Corday Productions
Sydney (Sydney Malekeh) is in for a shock when Dante (Franco LoPresti) arrives in Salem. Why is he in Salem? Is he part of the unraveling of the Dominic Marino mystery, since we know he seemed like he was talking to the man in Monte Carlo?
Will Marlena ever figure out what Rita (Maggie Carney) is hiding about the mystery of Dominic, and if Marlena is truly his birth mother or did something more suspicious go on and how deeply involved is Rita in this whole story?
EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) finally demands answers of his own from Rita after overhearing on today’s Cliffhanger Friday her conversation with Marlena. Will Rita cop to anything?
Then as noted, while everyone thinks Sophia took her own life, after Kristen “murdered” her, Kristen is infuriated to find she is somehow alive working as waitress in a diner in Kentucky. Will Kristen try to kill Sophia yet again?
Take a look at some of the additional spoilers for next week’s action on DAYS below.
Monday, October 5
Joy worries about her future.
Alex surprises Stephanie.
Chanel supports Johnny through a difficult decision.
Tuesday, October 6
Rachel gives Brady cause for concern.
Roman surprises Kate.
Wednesday, October 7
Leo’s good day takes an unexpected turn.
Brady is forced to make a difficult call.
Thursday, October 8
Paulina refuses to give up on Lani.
Chanel asks Johnny for a promise.
Friday, October 9
Stephanie and Alex steal a private moment.
Steve gets troubling news from Johnny.
So, what do you think will happen when Kristen finds that the woman she thought she murdered and framed (making it looking like a suicide) is alive and well and working in a diner far away from Salem? Was Rita more involved with Stefano DiMera than we even know? Who is the birth mother of Dominic? Is it really Marlena or did someone else carrying her child? And what of Dante? Why is he back in Salem? To get at Philip, or something else? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver
After an earlier post on Thursday, October 1 about General Hospital alumni Tajh Bellow’s (ex-TJ Ashford) upcoming project from Issa Rae’s HOOPAE Digital, comes word that Bellow is temporarily stepping into the role of Days of our Lives Theo Carver to fill in for Tyler Joseph Andrews on the Peacock streaming soap opera.
According to TV Insider, Bellow will be making a one-day appearance next week on the October 6 episode of DAYS as Andrews was unable to make the tape date that was shot 10 months ago on a day last December. Andrews (pictured below) took over the role of Theo in September of 2025.
In Bellow’s upcoming episode as Theo, he will share scenes with Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez). A DAYS spokesperson tells the outlet that Bellow “stepped seamlessly into the role, and the cast and crew were grateful for his professionalism and commitment, albeit for only one episode.”
Photo: JPI
TAJH WILL BE SEEN IN MULTIPLE PROJECTS IN OCTOBER
As General Hospital fans know, Tajh played the role of TJ Ashford from 2018 to his last appearance in December of 2024. Along the way, he received two Daytime Emmy nominations for his performances as TJ, the last being in 2025 in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
In addition, bellow along with Y&R alum Loren Lott will be seen starting on October 14 in the new Love Island spoof series, The Compatibility Experiment. The show will drop exclusively on TikTok and the PineDrama platform.
The Compatibility Experiment gives a satirical look at reality dating shows, think Love Island! The story centers around Kelvin (Bellow) and Camila (Lott), whose relationship is put to the test when they join a reality show to try to win a the million dollar prize.
So, what do you think of Tajh stepping in for Tyler Joseph Andrews as Theo on DAYS? Perhaps, the soap opera liked his work that he might be considered for another role in the future bringing Bellow back to the soaps? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
Four cast members are officially on contract at Days of our Lives, according to the soap opera’s closing credits on Peacock and longtime Days expert and historian Jason 47.
Lauren Koslow (Kate), Sydney Malakeh (Sydney), Sal Stowers (Lani) and Jacob Martinez (Javi) are the names that appear in the closing credits in the contracted cast members section. Days of our Lives fans also note that the series tapes ten months in advance of streaming episodes.
As Days of our Lives fans know, Lauren Koslow has played Kate Roberts since 1996, and recently filled-in for Jess Walton in the role of Jill Abbott on The Young and the Restless when Walton was unable to travel from Oregon to Los Angeles during the specific tape dates. But now, Koslow has been re-upped to contract status as of the September 8 episode.
Photo: JPI
SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED
Sydney Malakeh is the newest member of the contract players when she debuted on contract status on the September 10th episode. Days fans first met Sami (Alison Sweeney) and EJ’s (Dan Feuerriegel) daughter in scenes in Monte Carlo around a gambling table.
As for Sal Stowers, the actress had been on contract from 2015-2022, then on recurring status with the soap, and would make appearances and limited runs since 2023. Soap fans first saw Sal as Cassandra Foster on Prospect Park’s revival of All My Children in 2013. Sal’s first new contracted episode was noted to be September 16.
Jacob Martinez, debuted on June 30 of this year as the successor to Al Calderon in the role of Javi Hernandez, and has now been bumped up to series regular as of the September 10 episode.
Photo: JPI
CREDITS
According to the referenced posting from Days of our Lives expert and historian Jason 47, he shared, “It took me four weeks to realize, but the same week that Sydney Malakeh (Sydney) debuted (9/7-9/11), “Days” also put Lauren Koslow (Kate), Jacob Richard Martinez (Javi) and Sal Stowers (Lani) on contract.”
Jason47 added, “This confirms the “errors” of Lani being listed in the credits the week of 9/7 but not appearing, and Kate and Javi appearing in the credits the week of 9/14 but not appearing. It also now makes sense why Javi and Sydney are being listed before Rafe and Philip in the credits.”
He also shared, “For the record, Lauren Koslow’s first date back on contract was 9/8, Jacob Richard Martinez was upped to contract on 9/10, Sydney Malakeh debuted on contract 9/10 and Sal Stowers’ first date back on contract was 9/16. The records will be fixed on the website in the coming days.”
So, glad to hear Lauren, Sydney, Sal and Jacob appear to be on contract with Days of our Lives (as of these episode airings)? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Kristen Locates an Alive Sophia, How Much Does Rita Know About the Birth of Dominic Marino?
TUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair
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‘Beyond the Gates’ Honors HBCU Tradition with Banneker University Homecoming Episodes
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Judith Light Joins Cast of ‘Shrinking’ Season 4 in Recurring Role
‘Beyond the Gates’ Marquita Goings Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
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GH Alum Tajh Bellow and Y&R Alum Loren Lott Star in New Tiktok and Microdrama ‘Love Island’ Spoof
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ava and Drew Revealed to be Behind Framing Sonny for Sidwell’s Prison Beatdown
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