The Battle Ground Police Department, with assistance from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, arrested a 46-year-old Battle Ground man on March 27 in connection with a fatal two-vehicle collision that occurred in March 2025 after laboratory results from a blood sample obtained on the day of the collision were received by investigators, providing probable cause for the arrest.
Around 6:30 a.m. on March 27, law enforcement arrested Michael T. Smith in connection with a fatal collision that occurred in 2025 near the 100 block of Southwest 20th Avenue, a news release by the city of Battle Ground stated.
According to court documents, Smith’s blood sample obtained after a search warrant came back with a high level of THC in his system. According to an expert panel review of scientific studies on driving under the influence of cannabis cited by California NORML, a nonprofit membership-supported organization protecting and expanding cannabis consumers’ rights, Smith’s reported levels of THC would indicate likely impairment.
Smith was also cited in the court documents as having driven at speeds of 62 to 71 mph at the time of collision in a posted 25 mph zone.
The arrest ultimately stems from a two-car collision that occurred on March 19, 2025, in Battle Ground.
“Upon arrival, officers discovered that two occupants of (a) Kia Soul — an adult male (driver) and an adult female (passenger) — had sustained significant injuries and were transported by ambulance to an area hospital,” the news release states. “Sadly, the passenger was pronounced deceased at the hospital at 3:37 p.m. that afternoon. The driver was treated for serious injuries and fortunately survived. Smith, the driver of the second vehicle involved in the collision, was evaluated by medical personnel at the scene and was relatively unharmed.”
The release adds that due to the severity of the injuries resulting from the collision, deputies from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and the Vancouver Police Department Traffic Units were brought in to assist with the investigation in 2025.
“Collision analysis determined that Smith’s vehicle was traveling significantly above the posted speed limit when it struck the Kia as it entered Southwest 20th Avenue from a private driveway,” the release stated.
Smith has been booked into the Clark County Jail on charges of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault, according to the Clark County Jail roster.
“It was his decision to not brake while swerving into the oncoming lane in order to avoid the Kia,” the court document stated. “Michael’s (Smith) impairment and speed are major contributing factors and are the cause of this collision, which resulted in (name withheld) death and (name withheld) substantial injuries.”
