Jaime Diaz Hernandez, 28, of Texas, was charged with drunk driving following a traffic stop early Saturday morning, Dec. 14. Officers from the Bellefontaine Police Department also charged Hernandez with weaving and failure to maintain assured clear distance ahead as a result of the stop.
Officers on patrol were alerted around 2:35 a.m. a vehicle being followed on the south end of the city. The vehicles in question were located in the 1000 block of south Main Street. Officers report a gray Dodge Ram pickup truck was closely following a white Kia Soul. The truck’s hazard lights were on, and it was weaving within its lane, nearly crossing lane dividers.
Officers pursued the vehicles as they traveled northbound, reaching speeds of 60 mph to catch up. Officers initiated a traffic stop at the intersection of south Main Street and Lake Avenue. Upon approaching the vehicle, officers observed signs of impairment from the driver, Hernandez, including bloodshot, glossy eyes, the smell of alcohol and slurred speech.
Hernandez admitted to consuming alcohol. Inside the truck, officers found a plastic cup containing what appeared to be an alcoholic beverage.
Field sobriety tests indicated impairment, and Hernandez was arrested and transported to the Bellefontaine Police Department, where he provided a breath sample showing a blood-alcohol content of .231, nearly three times the legal limit. Hernandez also provided a urine sample for further testing after officers received information suggesting he may have consumed cocaine earlier in the evening.
Hernandez was lodged in the Logan County Jail and faces multiple charges, including operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and the traffic violations. The case has been forwarded to the Bellefontaine Municipal Prosecutor’s Office for further review.