Bryan Smith was the driver of the supposed hit and run accident with the author Stephen King on June 19, 1999. He was brought before a grand jury and indicted on two counts: driving to endanger and aggravated assault. He said that he was distracted by his dog, which was loose in the van[1][2]. He pled guilty to driving to endanger, the lesser charge, was sentenced to six months' jail time (sentence suspended), and had his driver's license suspended for a year (he had nearly a dozen previous infractions on record).
In September 2000, Smith was discovered dead in his trailer. His cause of death was listed as an accidental overdose of the painkiller fentanyl, according to toxicology reports.
Smith, who suffered from a back injury, had been prescribed the opiate-based painkiller not long before his death.
Last updated: 10-08-2005 09:41:59
