Police in Ohio say that a 34-year-old man was too intoxicated to take a field sobriety test when he was taken into custody for driving while under the influence of alcohol on the morning of April 8. A breath test taken shortly afterwards at a nearby police station is said to have revealed the Youngstown man’s blood alcohol level to be .233 percent, which is almost three times the legal driving limit in Ohio.
Reports suggest that the man lost control of his car and struck a marked police vehicle on Market Street at approximately 6:30 a.m. A Youngstown Police officer says that the man had been using the turning lane to attempt a passing maneuver at the time. According to police, the man was pulled over near East Judson Avenue after initially attempting to leave the scene of the accident.
Officers claim to have discovered a marijuana cigarette and a bag containing an undisclosed quantity of the drug during a search of the man’s vehicle, and a records check revealed that he has had his driver’s license suspended 20 times and has four open suspensions. He has been charged with drug possession and OVI.
The desire to escape can be strong when motorists realize that they could face severe drunk driving penalties, but experienced criminal defense attorneys would likely advise them to resist the urge to flee. Those who attempt to elude law enforcement are rarely successful, and defendants who flee give their attorneys one more hurdle to contend with during plea discussions. However, prosecutors may be willing to show leniency even in these situations in order to avoid the risks and costs of a trial.
Source: The Youngstown Vindicator, South Side man faces OVI, driver’s license violations, Staff report, April 9, 2018
