‘I Only Had Two Beers’: Burned-Out Taillights Lead to OVI Arrest

A routine traffic stop over a vehicle traveling without taillights ended with an impaired driving investigation after the driver admitted he had been drinking while out listening to live music. An officer spotted a gray Subaru traveling through Chesapeake during the early morning hours with its taillights turned off. After initiating a traffic stop, the driver pulled over without incident. According to the report, the driver appeared surprised when told why he had been stopped. He checked the light switch and said he believed it was set to "automatic." The officer observed the switch was actually in the "off" position. Once the driver moved it to the automatic setting, the vehicle's lights immediately illuminated. The stop occurred in the Village of Chesapeake shortly after 1 a.m. When asked where he had been, the driver told the officer he had been in Huntington watching a band perform before heading home. He admitted consuming alcohol during the evening and said he had two beers, with his last drink approximately one hour before the traffic stop. While speaking with the driver, the officer reported smelling the odor of an alcoholic beverage. The report also notes the driver appeared slow and lethargic while retrieving his registration and had watery, glassy eyes. Based on those observations, the Ohio State Highway Patrol was requested to conduct an impaired driving investigation. After arriving on scene, a state trooper performed standardized field sobriety tests. According to the report, the trooper determined there was probable cause to arrest the driver for Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence (OVI). The driver was advised of his rights, and the required BMV paperwork was completed. Rather than having the vehicle towed, troopers parked it at the driver's nearby residence and returned the keys before transporting him from the scene. The entire traffic stop and investigation were captured on the officer's body-worn camera. Why Troopers Often Handle OVI Investigations Many sheriff's offices call on the Ohio State Highway Patrol to assist with suspected impaired driving cases. Troopers receive specialized training in standardized field sobriety testing and impaired driving investigations, helping ensure arrests are supported by consistent procedures and evidence that can be presented in court. An OVI charge is an allegation, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

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