Oakes man who crashed into house convicted

A North Dakota man was convicted this week by a Dickey County jury on charges of reckless endangerment, impaired driving and drug-related counts.

Dale Smith Jr., 38, of Oakes, is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 11.

Dickey County State's Attorney Gary Neuharth said evidence against Smith was presented for two days before the jury deliberated for most of Wednesday.

The charges against Smith stem from a March 16 incident during which he drove his vehicle into the home of Nick Podoll, of Oakes, shortly after noon. According to an Associated Press report, Podoll was struck by debris as Smith drove through three rooms of the home.

Neuharth said Smith had been huffing prior to crashing into the home. Huffing usually involves a person inhaling chemical vapors to get high.

The drug charges were the result of items found in Smith's home after law enforcers executed a search warrant. Neuharth said the warrant was requested because paint cans and cans of compressed air were found in Smith's car.

Jurors convicted Smith of possession of with intent to manufacture marijuana, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and inhalation of volatile chemicals. Because Smith's home is within 1,000 feet of a school and daycare, the intent to manufacture marijuana charge carries a minimum sentence of eight years in prison, Neuharth said.

He said the jury found Smith not guilty of criminal vehicle injury to Podoll.

— Reporter Elisa Sand