A driver who couldn’t seem to remember his turn signals ended up facing OVI charges after deputies noticed something wasn’t right during an early morning traffic stop.
The incident unfolded shortly before 4 a.m. when a deputy watching traffic observed a pickup truck crossing into Ohio from West Virginia.
At first, it seemed like a routine traffic violation.
Then came another.
According to the report, the driver failed to use a turn signal while merging onto a state highway ramp. Moments later, he allegedly made a left turn at an intersection without signaling again.
The deputy initiated a traffic stop in a nearby parking lot.
What happened next quickly turned the situation from a simple traffic stop into an impaired driving investigation.
When the deputy approached the vehicle, he reportedly noticed the driver’s speech was slow and slurred.
The driver also appeared sluggish in his movements and seemed confused when answering basic questions about where he had been and where he was headed.
When asked for his registration and insurance information, the driver initially produced expired documents before eventually locating the correct registration.
According to the report, he also handed over an expired insurance card.
Concerned by the driver’s condition, the deputy requested assistance from the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Things became even more concerning when the driver exited the vehicle.
The deputy reported that the man appeared unsteady on his feet and stumbled as he walked toward him.
The driver denied consuming alcohol.
Because impairment can be caused by many factors—including alcohol, prescription medications, illegal drugs, medical conditions, or a combination of substances—the deputy requested a trooper trained in standardized field sobriety testing.
The stop occurred in Proctorville.
After arriving on scene, the state trooper conducted field sobriety tests and ultimately determined there was probable cause to arrest the driver for Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence.
The driver was taken into custody and transported to the Ohio State Highway Patrol Post for further processing.
A search of the vehicle uncovered a bottle of prescription ibuprofen and an over-the-counter liquid pain-relief medication, but no illegal drugs or other contraband were reportedly found.
At the driver’s request, Speedway employees allowed the vehicle to remain parked on the property.
OVI Doesn’t Always Mean Alcohol
Many drivers assume OVI charges only involve alcohol.
In Ohio, however, a person can be charged if they are impaired by prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, illegal drugs, or any combination of substances that affect their ability to safely operate a vehicle.
That’s one reason officers frequently call in specially trained troopers when they suspect impairment but don’t detect the odor of alcohol.
In this case, what started with two missed turn signals ended with a full impairment investigation and an arrest.
