Joey Hines, 36, of Lima, and Rayvin P. Houchin, 19, both of Lima, each were charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and felony counts of possession of drugs following a crash on Christmas Eve.
Deputies of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office responded about 1:15 a.m. to the 2800 block of east State Route 47 in reference to a vehicle that had slid off the road.
Upon arrival, deputies observed the vehicle in a muddy and snow-covered field and a semi truck driver assisting the male driver, Hines, and female passenger, Houchin, by using tow straps to pull the vehicle back onto the roadway.
While speaking with Hines and Houchin, deputies observed a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the passenger compartment. Hines reportedly told deputies there were “two roaches in the center console.”
Deputies executed a probable cause search of the vehicle, which yielded several roaches, a tobacco grinder with suspected marijuana residue, a burnt straw and a hypodermic needle. During a search of an overhead console, deputies also seized a baggie of suspected marijuana and a folded piece of paper with suspected methamphetamine crystals and powder.
Both defendants were placed under arrest and were lodged in the Logan County Jail. Officers of the Bellefontaine Police Department also assisted at the scene.
Suspected impaired driving crash investigated
Deputies responded about 12:25 a.m. Thursday to the area of county roads 87 and 270 on a report of a vehicle that had crashed into a ditch.
Two witnesses said they assisted a man out of the vehicle after the crash occurred nearby their residence. One of the witnesses said she smelled alcohol on the man’s breath and that he asked her not to call the law enforcement “because he didn’t want a DUI.”
The witnesses said the man walked away from the scene on foot on C.R. 270 toward Lakeview. Deputies searched the area for the driver, but were unable to locate him.
Deputies of the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office responded to the residence of the registered owner of the vehicle, but did not receive any response. A hold was placed on the vehicle until further information can be obtained regarding the crash.
Woman transported from U.S. 33 crash
Reta Catterson, 70, of Lima, was transported by Indian Lake EMS to Mary Rutan Hospital for treatment of minor injuries sustained in a crash Thursday afternoon.
Deputies report Bridget K. Stettler, 47, of Anna, was operating a northbound 2012 Honda Odyssey on Township Road 87 about 1:05 p.m. and stopped at the stop sign at U.S. Route 33. She then proceeded from the stop sign and struck a westbound 2020 Kia Forte operated by Catterson.
Stettler and two passengers in the Catterson vehicle did not report any injuries. All occupants were wearing their seat belts and damage was heavy to both vehicles. Stettler was cited for a stop sign violation.
• Jayne K. Kelly, 48, of Valrico, Fla., was transported by Huntsville EMS to Lima Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries sustained in a crash Wednesday afternoon.
Deputies report she was operating a northbound 2021 Toyota Corolla in the 12000 block of State Route 117 about 4:50 p.m. and failed to maintain assured clear distance ahead, striking the rear of a northbound 2019 Audi A5 operated by Eric W. Myjak, 32, of New Albany.
Myjak did not report any injuries. Damage was heavy to both vehicles, which were towed from the scene. The occupants were wearing their seat belts, and citations were pending at the time of the report.
• Driver Carissa B. Gressner, 32, of Bellefontaine, and two juvenile passengers, ages 1 and 12, were checked at the scene of a Christmas Day crash by Allen Township EMS personnel, but no one was transported from the scene.
Deputies report Gressner was operating a northbound 2007 Buick Rendezvous in 6800 block of County Road 158 about 8 p.m. when she slid on the snow- and ice-covered road and went off the right side of the road, striking a tree. Damage was moderate to the vehicle.
The occupants were wearing seat belts or were properly restrained in child safety seats. The driver was cited for failure to control.