Joshua Rice, 39, of Urbana, was charged with impaired driving and drug-related offenses following a traffic stop executed around 1:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13, by officers of the Bellefontaine Police Department in the area of the 300 block of west Brown Avenue.
Officers on patrol in the area of north Elm Street and west High Avenue observed the defendant fail to sufficiently stop at a stop at the intersection. Officers also suspected Rice was operating a vehicle without a valid license.
As officers began to pursue the suspect’s vehicle, he reportedly began to rapidly pick up speed, heading southbound around a corner onto Kennedy Street.
Police activated their emergency lights to signal a traffic stop and the defendant abruptly turned into a private drive on west Brown Avenue.
Upon making contact with Rice, it was determined he did not have a valid driver’s license. Signs of impairment were also observed, including red, bloodshot and glassy eyes.
Rice admitted to having marjiuana paraphernalia and a THC vape pen inside the vehicle.
Field sobriety tests were conducted and police determined the defendant was too impaired to drive. He declined to provide a urine sample to police.
Officers seized the THC vape pen and a glass bowl from his vehicle.
Rice was issued a summons for driving under suspension, possession of drug paraphernalia and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs. He was also cited for the improper stop at a stop sign.