Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers arrested Julio Ramirez, of Bristol, Va., after he drove his vehicle left of center and struck an oncoming car, driven by Nathan Charlton, 19, of McDermott, head on.
Troopers said Ramirez was driving west on Ohio 73, one mile west of McDermott Pond Creek Road, when he struck the other vehicle, sending a passenger in that car, Amanda Charlton, 20, wife of the driver, to St. Mary's Hospital in Huntington, W. Va. A nursing supervisor at St. Mary's said Charlton was discharged later on Sunday. Nathan Charlton was treated at the scene and may have suffered an injury to his hand, but chose to go with his wife to the hospital.
Witnesses reportedly stated Ramirez had been weaving badly into the oncoming lane for at least a mile before the crash.
Trooper said when they made contact with Ramirez at the scene, they determined him to be under the influence of alcohol. A breathalyzer test indicated his blood-alcohol level was at .101, above the legal limit of .08. He also was tested for other types of drugs; however, those results are pending analysis from the OSHP crime lab.
Ramirez was charged with having no operator's license, operating a vehicle under the influence, driving left of center and vehicular assault - a felony of the third degree.
Ramirez, who sustained minor injuries in the crash, was arrested and taken to the Scioto County jail. He went to video arraignment Monday morning, where his bond was set at $20,500.
Ramirez, who remains incarcerated in the Scioto County jail, has another court appearance scheduled for April 13.
FRANK LEWIS can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 232.
Post a Comment
