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.
Breaking News
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.
The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.
Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).

Photo: NATAS
In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year, A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.
The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).
The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”
Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.
So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of our Lives’ Reveals Kyle Pryor Cast as Dominic Marino

For months now, Days of our Lives has teased the character of Dominic Marino. In recent weeks, viewers learned that Marino is on the down low working with Sami Brady’s (Alison Sweeney) apparent fiancé ‘Dante Vitali (Franco LoPresti), and that he is the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall)!
Up until now, the Peacock streaming soap opera has never revealed his face, but that all seemed to change on the Tuesday, October 2o episode of DAYS. In story, Dante met Sami’s parents for the first time, Roman (Josh Taylor) and Marlena.
He shows them a photo of Dominic, which he happened to have on his own phone and even commented he kind of looked like he could be Marlena’s son. The photo, which has quickly made it around Soap Twitter/X, revealed that British-born actor Kyle Pryor is the man in the photo and eagle-eyed viewers actually located said photo on Pryor’s Instagram.

Photo: Peacock
Deadline revealed Pryor started taping at the end of 2025 and will first be seen in the role, on air Monday, November 2. In addition, Days will celebrate its 61st Anniversary with two special episodes featuring Dominic’s arrival, as well the returns of Tony and Anna DiMera, played respectively by Thaao Penghlis and Leann Hunley, on Friday, November 6 and Monday, November 9.
Those in the know, are are that Pryor previously held series regular roles on Australia’s Home and Away, and the UK’s Hollyoaks and guest starred on Emmerdale. In an ironic twist, Pryor appeared in the series Spartacus: Blood and Sand which is the same action series his apparent TV brother, Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera), once appeared in before coming to DAYS.
So excited to see Kyle Pryor take on the role of Dominic Marino as Days of our Lives sets its anniversary story to kick-off with is arrival in Salem? Share your thoughts in the comment section. And in case you missed our latest conversation with Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera) he weighs-in on how Dominic’s appearance will shake things up in Salem. You can check that out below.
Days Of Our Lives
Days of our Lives’ Conner Floyd Talks Dominic Marino Mystery, Chad and Belle, and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Exclusive)

Fasten your seat belts Days of our Lives fans, as the mystery of Dominic Marino continues to unravel on all-new episodes of the Peacock streaming soap opera. Last week, Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) learned that he may have a half-brother, who may be the biological child of his father, the late Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall), giving him great pause, because he knows Stefano had kidnapped Marlena for four years back in the late 80s and early 90s.
Chad has already been hunting down clues with his current girlfriend Belle Black (Martha Madison) in Italy and Salem, which revealed a photo of a young boy with Stefano with the date 1992 on the back of it, hidden inside Stefano’s chess set. So, what’s next?
Conner Floyd chatted on the Michael Fairman Channel in a new virtual interview released on Sunday, October 18, where he spoke on what the new addition to the DiMera family could do to the already dangerous sibling rivalries, the state of Chad’s relationship with Belle and much more.

Photo: JPI
DIMERA RIVALRY
After finding out from EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) that Dominic Marino could be the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano and Marlena, Conner Floyd explained, “I think it blows Chad’s mind a little bit. I think there’s a lot of things working there with old Chad. Obviously, bringing in another DiMera could cause some noise and the whole situation with Marlena’s a little awkward as well because he’s dating Belle, so this could cause a little tiff there. I think his head’s spinning and he does not know what to expect, but I also think he kind of expects that from Stefano, for sure.”
As to how this will change and color Chad’s relationship with EJ, Floyd responded, “Chad knows EJ’s not happy about it and I think he’s going to be real upset if this gets in his way of doing what he wants to do with the DiMera legacy and all that. However, for Chad, I think he’s just going to keep a sharp eye, see what this guy’s about, see if he’s here to cause some trouble or here to be a friend and kinda play it by ear.”

Photo: JPI
BELLE OF MY HEART
With Chad and Belle already being sleuths, Floyd says, you can look for the duo to continue getting to the truth. “I think Chad and Belle are committed to this. They’re going full National Treasure, Nicolas Cage,” says Conner. “They’re going to follow the clues. They’re going to get some answers.”
Since beginning in the role of Chad in June of 2025 and debuting on-screen back in April of 2026, the former Y&R star (where he played Chance Chancellor), says it was Madison who helped him get comfortable in his new surroundings.
“Martha is phenomenal. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to get tagged up with when I started here, just because she knows everybody,” shares Floyd. “She knows where to go, who to talk to. She’ll get the tea if you want, and so it was kind of cool. Martha took me under her wing, showed me the ropes. She’s a sweetheart. I love working with her too. She’s a great actress.”
But, is Chad in love with Belle after such a tortured past with his beloved Abigail Deveraux DiMera? Floyd thinks so! “I think he’s into it. They’re such good friends and they have such a rich history. I think he’s in for the ride. You know, it’s one of those things you probably overlook at first and then they reconnected, and it feels easy and they’re going on these fun adventures.”
MAKING CHAD HIS OWN
Conner had the arduous task of being the successor to Billy Flynn in the role of Chad.. Flynn had played the part for 12 years before deciding to exit and head to Y&R. So, how did Conner approach learning the ins and out of Chad? Floyd shared, “I really dove into Chad when I first got this job. I liked that he kind of walks this tightrope of DiMera and not DiMera, you know. He want to so honor his family roots and really do something for the DiMera family, but he doesn’t want to fall into that trap that all the other DiMera have found themselves in. Chad is a DiMera at heart. He’s got those demons, but he’s just trying to keep them contained.”

Photo: JPI
ICONIC
When Floyd got to DAYS, it was none other than Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) who most surprised him in the most delightful way, given that he knew Hayes was a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and the current longest-running cast member on the canvas.
“I love working with Susan Hayes! I love her. She’s a sweetheart. Susan is one of the nicest people there. I just thought she was cool and it’s Susan Hayes, you know? We’ve had a lot of scenes together, which is nice,” explained Conner.
“We’ll go to her dressing room, we’ll run our scenes, and then we’ll spend about an hour just talking about life and she’ll tell me about a book she’s reading. She’s such a history buff, which blows my mind. She’ll start dropping all these historical facts on me. I learn something new by the time I walk out of her dressing room every time!”
Now below, check out the full conversation with Conner Floyd via the Michael Fairman Channel.
Weigh-in: Do you like Chad and Belle as couple? Do you think Chad will get to the bottom of the Dominic Marino mystery? If so, do you think Dominic is truly Stefano and Marlena’s son … and what about Rita (Maggie Carney) in all this? Let us know your theories in the comment section.
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