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
‘Heated Rivalry’ Star Franco LoPresti Opens Up About ‘Days of our Lives’ Debut as Dante Vitali
Next week on Monday, September 14 will mark the first appearance in Salem of Franco LoPresti in his new Days of our Lives role of Dante Vitali.
Heated Rivalry fans now LoPresti very well from his part as hockey player Cliff Marleau in the series first season. (No word yet if Cliff appears in season 2).
Now in a conversation with TV Insider, DAYS fans will learn that LoPresti is on the soap for a limited run. No timetable was given.
Photo: Corday Productions, Inc
When LoPresti does burst onto the scene come Monday, Dante makes quite the impact as Franco LoPresti explains. It seems that viewers will first see him in scenes in Monte Carlo at a poker table with none other than Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier). However, Dante will come to Salem to talk to the Brady family about his supposed fiancée Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney).
Franco shared, “Dante was born and grew up in Italy and educated at this pretty top-tier English boarding school. He then went on to build his own dynasty in finance, all the while trying to distance himself from the Vitali name (as viewers know Tamara Braun played his cousin Ava Vitali).”
“But at the core of Dante, there’s definitely an old-school quality to him”, continued LoPresti. “He’s super passionate, he’s sincere and incredibly generous, but he’s also someone that you probably shouldn’t underestimate. Loyalty is something that means a lot to him. As Dante enters Salem, I think the audience will get to slowly peel back those layers and discover what’s really driving him. So, I’m excited for Days fans to go on that ride with Dante.”
Photo: Almay
As it turns out, LoPresti taped his episodes of DAYS starting back in November 2025 which happened to be weeks before Heated Rivalry became a smash hit.
Franco recalled, “It’s so funny because I thought my episodes would air in a month (on Days of our Lives). But I found out it was nine to 10 months and I was like, ‘I gotta wait that long?!’ So, I’ve been biting my nails, trying not to think about it, and I think it’s actually kind of helped because now it’s here and it’s all coming at me from all different angles. I’m nervous. I’m excited, and I just can’t wait to see it all come together. It’s one of the best jobs I’ve ever had for sure.”
In his personal life, Franco just had his first child with wife, actress Emily Alatalo, just a weeks ago on August 23rd when they welcomed their daughter, Stella into the world.
So, looking forward to seeing Franco LoPresti’s debut come Monday? What do you think about the fact that it’s being reported as a limited run? Do you think Dante and Sami have a chance on-screen or off-screen to be a happy couple? What do you really think brings Dante to Salem sans Sami? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
In a metaphor for the start of the school year and their upcoming anniversary in November, Days of our Lives revealed its “Class of Season 62,” with a very clever yearbook montage on their social media handles, welcoming new cast members, while paying respect to the veterans and “class”-iying the other characters in Salem.
The official Days of our Lives Instagram account shared on the posting, “The Class of Salem Season 62 has arrived. Familiar faces, new names and plenty of personality. Flip through our yearbook for a peek at this year’s class.”
Let’s take a look at how they broke it all down: The Salem Yearbook starts with saying “another unforgettable season,” with some group pics, and then we dovetail into Salem’s new class which features: Sydney Malakeh (Sydney DiMera), Brandon Butler (Mason Whitfield), Angelica Nero (Victoria Kiriakis), Cole Gersmeyer (Thomas DiMera) and Lorelei Olivia Mote (Rachel Black).
Photo: Days of our Lives
Next up, are the likes of: Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez), John-Paul Lavoisier (Philip Kiriakis), Tyler Joseph Andrews (Theo Carver) and LeeAnn Hopkins (Joy Wesley). Then, in the “Drama Club” section are: Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera) and AnnaLynne Cipriani (Cat Greene).
Following the ‘Recess” section with some group snaps, comes “Homeroom Highlights” with: Abigail Klein (Stephanie Johnson), Eric Martsolf (Brady Black), Rob Scott Wilson (Alex Kiriakis), Lamon Archey (Eli Grant) and Sal Stowers (Lani Price Grant).
The “Salem Spectator” section features: Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera), Greg Rikaart (Leo Stark), Stowers again, and Ashely Puzemis (Holly Jonas). In the “Afternoon Sweets” section look for: Paul Telfer (Xander Kiriakis) and Linsey Godfey (Sarah Horton), Emily O’ Brien (Gwen Rizchech), Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera/Susan Banks), Brandon Beemer (Shawn Brady), plus Jackée Harry (Paulina Price).
Towards the end of the yearbook, veteran performers such as: Mary Beth Evans (Kayla Johnson), Stephen Nichols (Steve Johnson), Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) and Josh Taylor (Roman Brady) are featured, plus Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans), James Reynolds (Abe Carver) and Matthew Ashford (Jack Deveraux), Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) and Suzanne Rogers (Maggie Kiraikis) with her on-screen daughter, Linsey Godfrey.
The Salem Yearbook comes to a conclusion noting “Big things happening in Salem” and to tune-in on Peacock, where we also find Jacob Martinez (Javi Hernandez), Maggie Carney (Rita Lesley), and a host of other favorites previewing what’s to come this fall.
So, what do you think of the Days of our Lives Class of Season 62? Looking forward to seeing what happens in Salem? Did you like the yearbook concept for promotional tune-in? Let us know via the comment section below.
View this post on Instagram
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of our Lives’ Head Writers Give Fall 2026 Preview: Marlena and Stefano’s Chess Mystery, The Arrivals of Dante and Sydney, Romance Drama for Sarah and Others
As summer comes to a close with Labor Day weekend, the former Days of our Lives co-head writing duo of Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford have given their annual fall season preview in episodes taped some 10-11 months ago.
As previously reported this past July, Ryan Quan returned to Days of our Lives and is now co-head writing the show with Ford, while Cwikly is now a consultant. The new co-head writing teams stories will not be seen till late spring/early summer 2027.
So for now, the stories pick up from where we left off with Cwikly and Ford promising via TV Insider, “Fall in Salem is full of twists and turns and secrets and surprises. Dots connect in unexpected ways as seemingly unrelated threads converge.”
Photo: JPI
CHECKMATE?
In one of the top mystery’s, Marlena is still having troubling memories and she will have another one on the Monday, September 7 episode. Meanwhile, her daughter Belle (Martha Madison) has gotten very close to Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) and as pictured here, the two smooch while in Italy searching for answers to the chess set that Stefano DiMera gifted th the late John Black and Marlena (Deidre Hall) that has some significance.
The head scribes share, “The (chess board) mystery and its fallout are central to the fall stories. Chad and Belle follow the clues to a discovery that changes both of their families, and Salem, forever. Marlena worries that their investigation/the chess set may be a Pandora’s box that has been opened. And she is right…”
Newcomers are also the order of the day for Cwikly and Ford, this fall. We have already seen the debut as Brandon Butler as Mason Whitfield, and next week you can add as previously reported Sydney Malakeh on the Thursday September 1o episode as Sydney DiMera, followed by the the Monday, September 14 arrival of Franco LoPresti as Dante Vitali.
Photo: Corday Productions
Paula and Jeanne Marie expressed on the incoming Dante, “The arrival of a stranger who will set the whole town on its ear. The character has several strong ties to the current canvas and impacts many storylines.” What will Dante be up to? We know Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) had mentioned in 2025 she got engaged to the man, but that was off-screen.
LOVE THE ONE YOU’RE WITH OR THE ONE YOU WANT?
In the romance department, the triangle between Brady/Sarah/Xander heats up with a very conflicted Sarah (Linsey Godfrey). The head writers reveal, “When Sarah faces attacks personally and professionally, Xander (Paul Telfer) and Brady (Eric Martsolf) work together to help and protect her. Sarah’s new love for Brady is challenged by her lingering love for Xander. Xander risks everything for Sarah.”
In addition look for, “Gabi (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip (John-Paul Lavoiser) to draw closer as he tries to save the family company and home.”
Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) will also be returning at some point this fall and she won’t be alone. Who might she bring with her? And from the looks of the Peacock promo for next week’s DAYS, someone is wearing Stefano’s ring around their finger, but who … and how does it all tie in this fall?
So, what do you think about some of the highlights coming up this fall on Days of our Lives per the series head writers? Does anything float your boat or pique your interest? If so, what? Let us know via the comment section. But first, check out the action next week on DAYS in the promo entitled “Bag of Tricks” below.
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
Steve Burton Reportedly Signs Three-Year Contract with ‘General Hospital’
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Steffy Tells Carter She’s Pregnant, But He Has a Way ‘Out of This Situation For All of Us’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason and Britt Reach an Impasse; Is This the End of Their Relationship?
Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027
‘General Hospital’ to Rebroadcast Special Episode in Tribute to Anthony Geary
‘General Hospital’s’ Tabyana Ali Song ‘Pray’ Now Available on Major Streaming Platforms with Music Video Forthcoming
‘General Hospital’ Icon Genie Francis to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
Vivica A. Fox Exits ‘The Young and the Restless’ For Now to Film Netflix’s ‘Women Like Us’
Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Steffy Tells Carter She’s Pregnant, But He Has a Way ‘Out of This Situation For All of Us’
‘Beyond the Gates’ vs. ‘The Young and the Restless’ in a Soap Opera Showdown on ‘Flip Side’ Season 3 Premiere
‘The Bold and the Beautiful’s’ Heather Tom Talks Daytime Emmy-Nominated Scenes and What’s Behind Katie’s Deep-Seated Issues with Dylan (Exclusive)
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Did Brook Lynn Deserve Chase Walking Out on Her?
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ to Rebroadcast Special Episode in Tribute to Anthony Geary
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Tabyana Ali Song ‘Pray’ Now Available on Major Streaming Platforms with Music Video Forthcoming
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ Icon Genie Francis to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
-
News7 days agoVivica A. Fox Exits ‘The Young and the Restless’ For Now to Film Netflix’s ‘Women Like Us’
-
News1 day agoJess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027
-
General Hospital6 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ Braedyn Bruner Reveals Her Daytime Emmy-Nominated Scenes and How Emma is Getting Her ‘Edge’ Back
-
General Hospital5 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ Bluesy Burke Marks 1 Year as Charlotte Cassadine: ‘It’s The Best Gift I’ve Ever Received’
-
News4 days ago‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Drops First Look 40th Anniversary Opening Title Sequence
