Felicia Baker, 28, of Bellefontaine, was been charged with multiple offenses including failure to comply with a signal or order of a police officer, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, speeding, and violation of marked lanes following a traffic stop initiated around 2 a.m., Sunday, May 21, by officers of the Bellefontaine Police Department.
Officers observed a white Nissan pick-up truck, driven by Baker, turn northbound onto south Main Street without using its turn signal. Although the officers initially lost sight of the vehicle due to a red light at the intersection of Main Street and Chillicothe Avenue they were able to catch up to it in the 200 block of Main Street.
It was reported that the vehicle accelerated at a speed exceeding the 25 mph limit, reaching 45 mph, before gradually slowing down to speeds between 35 and 40 mph.
Officers noticed the vehicle weaving within the northbound lane of travel. As the vehicle made a wide turn onto Rush Avenue, it was observed that the driver side tires crossed the double yellow line. The vehicle then proceeded to the intersection of Rush Avenue and north Madriver Street, where it failed to stop behind the clearly marked stop bar, with the entire vehicle positioned beyond it.
Continuing eastbound, the vehicle was observed crossing over the double yellow line again, prompting the officer to activate the emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop.
However, despite the lights and sirens, the vehicle failed to yield and continued eastbound for several blocks, even outside of the city limits. Throughout this period, the vehicle maintained a speed of approximately 60 mph and continued to weave within its lane of travel. Eventually, after passing County Road 9, the vehicle began to slow down and pulled over in the 1500 block of east State Route 47.
The reporting officer approached the vehicle, ordering the suspect to turn off the vehicle. Baker was then instructed to place her hands outside the vehicle, and additional units arrived on the scene. Baker was ordered out of the vehicle and instructed to walk backward, ultimately leading to her placement into handcuffs. It was confirmed that there were no other individuals inside the vehicle.
During the interaction with Baker, the officer detected a strong odor of alcoholic beverage emanating from her breath. Additionally, her eyes appeared bloodshot and glossy and her speech was observed to be slurred. When asked about the delay in stopping the vehicle, Baker claimed that she was unaware that the officer was “following her.”
The officer questioned Baker about her alcohol consumption, to which she mentioned visiting a local bar and having “some drinks.” When asked for specifics, Baker admitted to consuming “probably three beers” and “a couple” of mixed drinks. When asked if she had consumed too much alcohol to be driving, Baker acknowledged that she had.
Field sobriety tests were unsuccessfully attempted and Baker was transported to the police department where her blood-alcohol content registered 0.223. She was issued a summons and released to a sober driver. Her vehicle was towed from the scene.
