Matthew L. Mewhorter, 35, of 300 N. Detroit St., Apt. A, Bellefontaine, was charged with theft of a motor vehicle, operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and was cited for leaving the scene of an accident with possible serious injury late Wednesday evening.
Deputies of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office report he was first operating a northbound 2003 Buick Century about 11:15 p.m. on U.S. Route 68 near County Road 103 close to the Hardin County line. His vehicle struck the rear of a northbound 2008 Suzuki motorcycle operated by Francis W. Saxton, 34, of Bellefontaine.
Saxton reportedly was transported from the crash by BMRT EMS to Hardin Memorial Hospital in Kenton for treatment of suspected serious injuries sustained in the crash.
Upon deputies’ arrival at the scene, they were approached by another motorist who had stopped at the scene, Tyler Wall of Galion. He reported that Mewhorter had just stolen his vehicle, a Mercury Grand Marquis, and fled the area northbound on U.S. 68.
Deputies were able to locate the stolen vehicle in the area of U.S. 68 and Hardin County Road 210 and initiated the stop.
The driver, Mewhorter, was ordered by deputies to exit the vehicle and keep his hands visible throughout the task. They said he complied and exited the vehicle and was ordered to his knees. Deputies held him at gunpoint and were able to place him under arrest without incident.
While speaking to deputies, Mewhorter admitted he was intoxicated and said he had consumed about three to four 24 oz. beers. He told deputies he must have entered the wrong car since he “left in a hurry” because he knew he had been drinking and that “the cops were going to show up at the crash.”
The defendant was transported to the Logan County Jail, where he refused all alcohol-related testing. He also was placed in the restraint chair at his own request after he became irate when hearing his charges.