Deanette D. Caldwell, 50, of North Charleston, N.C., was charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and received a commercial OVI charge related to a traffic stop Saturday morning.
Deputies of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office received a report about a westbound semi tractor-trailer in the area of State Route 292 and U.S. Route 33 that the caller said was all over the road and causing a hazard to other motorists.
Officers of the Bellefontaine Police Department were able to stop the semi in the area of U.S. 33 east of the rest area. Prior to the stop, officers observed the semi cross the center line multiple times and said the driver had difficulty maintaining her lane of travel.
When deputies arrived, they also spoke with Caldwell, who showed visible signs of impairment, including slurred speech and an odor of alcohol coming from her person.
The driver said she had picked up a load of oranges from New Jersey and was in transit to Indiana. She noted she had been driving for 18 hours without rest and admitted to consuming two to three alcoholic beverages the evening before.
The defendant agreed to submit to field sobriety tests and then she was placed under arrest for OVI.
The semi was inventoried by body camera and digital camera, and alcoholic beverages were found inside the cab, deputies said.
An Ohio State Highway Patrol motor carrier inspector also responded to the scene, prior to the semi being towed. Caldwell’s carrier also was contacted regarding the load, due to it being a load of produce and subject to spoiling.
At the Logan County Jail, Caldwell submitted to a breath test, with a result of 0.265 blood alcohol content.
She also was cited for CDL violations and OVI high test results and was lodged in the jail.
Man charged with aggravated menacing
Jaun A. Valentin, 42, of 636 High Ave., Russells Point, was charged with aggravated menacing related to an incident Saturday, March 11, at his residence.
Deputies responded to his address about 10:10 p.m. in reference to a report from his roommate Robert Wellnitz, 52, that Valentin had threatened him with brass knuckles and a large knife. The caller also reported hearing a gunshot from the rear of the residence.
Deputies arrived at the home, along with officers of the Washington Township Police Department and Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Wellnitz was able to exit the home through a window and was secured in a patrol car.
Dispatchers were able to reach Valentin by phone and asked him to exit the residence.
Deputies said he appeared at the front door and he was ordered out of the residence, with his hands in the air.
The defendant complied with instructions provided to him by law enforcement and was placed under arrest.
Valentin denied threatening his roommate. Deputies said a large knife was recovered from a bedroom.
Wellnitz also was placed under arrest for a probation violation, deputies said.
