Man charged in girl’s death arrested for DUI

Published 3:10 pm Thursday, January 16, 2014

A man charged with killing an 8-year-old Jemison Elementary School student while driving drunk in 2012 was arrested Wednesday and charged with driving under the influence.

Danny Ray Smith, 66, of Tuscaloosa was arrested early Wednesday afternoon by Northport Police.

Smith was out of jail on bond while the 2012 case is being settled. Authorities allege Smith struck Haylee Burks, her 3-year-old sister and the girls’ 28-year-old mother while they walked along a shoulder following the Tuscaloosa Regional Air Show in April 2012.

Burks died from the injuries she sustained.

Burks’ mother has also filed a civil claim against Smith.

After the arrest Wednesday, a motion was filed to revoke Smith’s bond. The order was signed by Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court Judge Chuck Malone.