14th OVI Offense for Uhrichsville Man

Mary Alice Reporting –

A 60-year-old has been charged with operating a vehicle while under the influence, his 14^th offense.

John Owens, according to Ohio State Highway Patrol’s New Philadelphia Post Lt. Johnnie Maier, had been involved in a hit-skip on June 24^th.

The afternoon incident was on State Route 39, near Interstate 77, when the Uhrichsville man stuck a pickup truck in the rear.

“[Troopers] were able to gather enough information, tracked it down to the residents of the owner, who happened to be the driver of that vehicle. When they did locate the driver, they found him to be under the influence.”

Maier notes that there was roughly an hour between the accident and locating Owens, who refused all field sobriety tests, including a breath test, so his blood alcohol level at the time is unknown. This charge marks Owens 14^th OVI offense, and the case will be reviewed by the Tuscarawas County Prosecutor’s Office. Additionally, Owens has been convicted of two previous felony OVI’s.

Lt. Maier adds that more hit-skip crashes are being seen.

“With the technology and everything that’s out there right now we are tracking people down and, you know, that’s why it’s a crash investigation and we are going to locate people and we are going to follow through with charges.”

Anyone who spots impaired drivers or drug activity is encouraged to report it by calling #677 for the nearest OSP Post or 911.