CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the arrestee, Timothy W. Steinhelfer, 62, of Bellefontaine.
UPDATE: Officers of the Bellefontaine Police Department released addtional information about the hit-and-run crash Friday night, Jan. 10 that resulted in the OVI arrest of Timothy W. Steinhelfer, 62, of Bellefontaine.
Officers report Steinhelfer was driving a 2010 Honda CR-V northbound on South Main Steet about 9:43 p.m. at the intersection with Lake Avenue, when his vehicle failed to stop at a red light and struck a 2023 Honda Piliot that was headed east Lake.
After impact, Steinhelfer reportedly drove away from the scene and traveled to nearby TP Lanes, where officers later made contact with him.
No injuries were reported in the initial crash report.
All vehicle occupants were wearing seat belts.
Damage to the vehicles was disabling.
PREVIOUS STORY:
A Bellefontaine man was arrested Friday night, Jan. 10, following a hit-and-run crash and an operating a vehicle under the influence investigation, according to a Bellefontaine Police Department incident report.
Timothy W. Steinhelfer, 62, was arrested in connection with a two-vehicle crash reported at approximately 9:43 p.m. at the intersection of South Main Street and East Lake Avenue.
According to the report, police dispatch received a call from a witness who reported the crash and advised that one of the vehicles involved had fled the scene and traveled to TP Lanes. Officers were dispatched shortly thereafter, with one unit responding to the crash scene and another responding to TP Lanes to locate the other driver.
Upon arrival at TP Lanes, officers were met by an employee who advised that the suspect vehicle was parked across the lot and that the driver had been brought inside the building. Officers located the vehicle, identified as a black 2010 Honda CR-V. The vehicle sustained heavy damage, and the airbags had deployed. The driver was not inside the vehicle at that time.
Officers were then directed inside the bowling alley, where they located the driver, identified as Steinhelfer, on the bowling side of the facility using his phone. After Steinhelfer finished the call, officers questioned him about the crash. Steinhelfer reportedly stated he did not remember what had happened.
Police reported Steinhelfer was unsteady on his feet and swaying in place. Officers also observed bloodshot, glossy eyes, heavy slurred speech, and a slight odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his person. When asked how he arrived at the bowling alley, Steinhelfer again stated he did not remember. When asked if he had driven there, he stated that he had.
According to the report, Steinhelfer told officers he was “f***ed up” [sic]. When asked to rate his level of intoxication on a scale of one to ten, with one being sober and ten being drunk, Steinhelfer reportedly interrupted the question and responded, “Six.”
Steinhelfer was arrested and transported to the Bellefontaine Police Department.
At the police department, Steinhelfer refused to perform standardized field sobriety tests. He was read BMV Form 2255, which explains the consequences of refusing a chemical test, and refused to provide a breath sample.
Steinhelfer was later released to a sober driver.
According to the report, Steinhelfer was not issued citations the night of the crash.
On Jan. 11, officers went to Steinhelfer’s residence to issue citations related to the incident. While at the residence, officers reported observing three trash bags filled with empty “Natty Daddy” beer cans, along with three additional empty tall cans positioned near a chair by the door. Police also observed the BMV 2255 form crumpled on the ground.
Steinhelfer came outside the residence and was issued citations in connection with the incident.
• A Bellefontaine man was arrested early Sunday, Jan. 11, after police observed a vehicle speeding and failing to maintain lanes on South Main Street.
According to reports, officers clocked a silver GMC SUV traveling up to 38 mph in a 25 mph zone about 12:18 a.m.. The vehicle was also observed weaving, crossing lane lines, and continuing for nearly half a mile after emergency lights and sirens were activated.
The driver was identified as Matthew W. Ulmer, 35. Officers reported signs of impairment, including bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, an odor of alcohol, and unsteady balance. An open container was observed inside the vehicle.
Ulmer consented to breath testing, which registered 0.121 and 0.123, both above the legal limit. Records also showed he did not have a valid operator’s license and had an outstanding warrant from Champaign County.
Ulmer was taken into custody and charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, OVI with a prohibited breath concentration, driving under a non-compliance suspension, marked lanes violations, operating without a valid license, and having an open container in a vehicle.
Cash reported stolen from city church
Police are investigating a burglary reported Tuesday morning, Jan. 6, at a local church.
Officers were dispatched around 9:55 a.m. to Wake Up the World Church, 600 E. Brown Ave. According to the report, perpetrator(s) forcibly entered the church overnight and took $1,500 in cash.
The incident remains under investigation.
