Think you’re safe from a DUI just because the engine’s off? Think again.
Just after 7 p.m., Portsmouth officers responded to the Kroger Gas Station on 9th Street after witnesses reported a pickup truck parked at the pumps — with a woman inside who appeared to be heavily intoxicated.
When officers arrived, they found Noelle Horsley in the driver’s seat and confirmed she was under the influence. Even though the truck wasn’t moving, she still had “physical control” of the vehicle — and that’s all it takes to land you in hot water under Ohio law.
🚔 Officers took Horsley into custody and booked her into the Scioto County Jail for Physical Control While Under the Influence — a charge that carries the same penalties as DUI in many cases, including license suspension, fines, and mandatory treatment programs.
🚫 Think You’re Safe If You’re Not Driving? Think Again.
Under Ohio law, you can be charged if you’re:
- In the driver’s seat
- In possession of the keys
- And under the influence — even if the vehicle isn’t running.
If officers think you could potentially operate the vehicle, that’s enough to charge you with “Physical Control.”
✅ What to Do Instead:
- Hand off your keys to someone sober
- Wait it out in the back seat, not the front
- Call a ride — it’s cheaper than court
💬 Bottom line? If you’re under the influence, stay far away from the driver’s seat. One bad decision could leave you with a criminal record, a suspended license, and a whole lot of regret.