Using public records laws, The Ledger obtained the audio file of the 911 call placed on Oct. 5 by a 22-year-old woman who says Sonic Automotive CEO David Smith assaulted her. Police arrested Smith and charged him with 4 counts, including felony assault by strangulation. Smith told the company’s board that he is innocent of the charges, according to a Sonic statement released in October. [UPDATE MARCH 21, 2021: The Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office said it dropped the charges against Smith because it did not have confidence it could prove the charges in court.]

The full article is in the Dec. 4, 2020, edition of The Charlotte Ledger.

Audio file of 911 call:

[Note — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police say they altered the voices of the caller and dispatcher to protect the identity of the woman.]

Police report on the incident:

• 911 call
• assault
• david smith
• domestic violence
• sonic automotive