Twin brother of Augusta County sheriff opts for jury trial on criminal charges

STAUNTON — The twin brother of Augusta County Sheriff Donald Smith on Monday opted for a jury trial instead of entering pleas to criminal charges that resulted from a December 2023 incident involving a semi-truck.

Ronald W. Smith, 42, of Churchville, was indicted by the Augusta County grand jury in May on two charges of attempted malicious wounding of a law enforcement officer, along with single felony charges of destruction of property and eluding. He's also facing a misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated (first offense), according to court records.

During the late-afternoon hours of Dec. 26, 2023, Sheriff Smith called his office and requested assistance with getting a stolen vehicle stopped. The vehicle, a semi-truck, was his. The sheriff said his brother was behind the wheel of the 2000 International that had a goose-neck trailer attached. The sheriff said he tried stopping the truck near the intersection of Churchville Avenue and Eagle Rock Lane but was unsuccessful.

The truck continued on Churchville Avenue and headed north on Va. 262. Deputies attempted to stop the semi at the intersection of Va. 262 and Commerce Road but were unsuccessful. The pursuit continued through the intersection and onto Woodrow Wilson Parkway, a release said.

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Deputies used tire deflation devices on Balsey Road but the truck didn't stop. The pursuit continued through Verona to Fort Defiance Road and into the parking lot of S. Gordon Stewart Middle School. Ronald Smith then drove into the parking lot of Clymore Elementary School, where he allegedly rammed a deputy’s vehicle and reportedly attempted to pin a second deputy’s vehicle between the semi and trailer.

Tire deflation devices were again used to disable the truck in the parking lot and a police dog was utilized in an attempt to take Ronald Smith into custody. When that failed, deputies continued giving him commands to exit the vehicle. Deputies finally opened the driver-side door and ordered Ronald Smith out of the truck. He complied and was arrested.

On Monday in Augusta County Circuit Court, online records show Ronald Smith, who is being represented by the Staunton Public Defender's Office, was scheduled for a plea. Instead, he opted for a one-day jury trial for Sept. 18. The prosecution of the case is being handled by the Charlottesville Commonwealth's Attorney's Office.

Ronald Smith is free on bond.

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Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@newsleader.com. You can also follow him on X (formerly Twitter)

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Ronald Smith, brother of Augusta County sheriff, opts for jury trial