Justin Romito, 28, of Southgate, Ky., was charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs relating to a non-injury crash Saturday, May 27.
Deputies of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched about 12:30 a.m. to the area of state routes 235 and 366 on a report of a crash.
Romito reportedly was operating a southbound 2007 Dodge Charger on S.R. 235 when he failed to negotiate a curve and went off the left side of the road, striking a telephone pole. He then re-entered the road and left the area, heading southbound.
Upon arrival, deputies observed a telephone pole that had been snapped off near the ground and a headlight assembly from a vehicle was laying in a nearby field.
A fluid trail in the road led deputies into the village of Lakeview and the suspect’s vehicle was found behind property belonging to Shoffstall Funeral Home at 115 N. Main St.
Deputies asked Gomito to shut off the vehicle, as there was heavy smoke coming from under the hood.
Deputies observed an odor of alcoholic beverage coming from his person, and he also appeared uneasy on his feet, they said.
Field sobriety tests were administered to the defendant. He also began to tell deputies that he had not been driving the vehicle at the time of the crash, although a witness identified him as the driver and said he got out of the driver’s side of the vehicle.
Romito was placed under arrest and was transported to the Logan County Jail, where he refused to submit to a breath test. He also was cited for failure to control.
Damage was heavy to the car, which was towed from the scene.
Driver cited in 3-vehicle crash
Anaiyah S. Healey, 25, of Lima, was cited for failure to maintain assured clear distance ahead related to a three-vehicle, non-injury crash in Huntsville Wednesday, May 31.
Deputies report she was operating a southbound 2014 Chevrolet Traverse on Lima Street at Napoleon Street about 3:20 p.m. Her vehicle reportedly struck the rear of a southbound 2000 Honda Prelude operated by Chaz M. Johnson, 21, of Lima, that was stopped in traffic.
Johnson’s vehicle then struck the rear of a southbound 2023 Hyundai Elanta operated by Grant T. Glover, 27, of Columbus.
Damage was heavy to the first two vehicles and moderate to the Glover car. The drivers were wearing their seat belts.