James D. Dearwester, 43, of 747 County Road 5, Zanesfield, was charged Friday with operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, resisting arrest, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He also received traffic citations for failure to drive in the marked lanes of the road; having an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle; no operator’s license; and several driving under suspension violations.
Shortly after 11:30 p.m., an officer of the Bellefontaine Police Department on patrol observed a northbound sport utility vehicle on Main Street near Lake Avenue travel over the double yellow centerline. The registration to the vehicle came back as expired so the officer initiated a traffic stop after Dearwester turned west on Carter Avenue.
Upon contact, the officer noted the motorist’s speech was unintelligible and mush mouthed. He instructed the driver to exit and detected a strong odor of alcohol on his breath.
Dearwester also had bloodshot, glossy eyes. When asked, he admitted to consuming alcohol, adding he drank more than he should have.
The motorist participated initially in field sobriety tests before stating he was done. He stiffened up and refused to comply with officer commands when he was informed he was under arrest.
It took two officers to forcibly handcuff him and reportedly kicked backwards at them.
The officers were able to force him into a cruiser’s rear seat but he continued to kick the vehicle’s interior and windows and curse at the officers. He also was able to slip his hands from behind his back to the front.
He was transported to the Logan County Jail where he was placed in a restraint chair.
A nearly empty bottle of whiskey was found in the vehicle and marijuana and a pipe were found on the motorist.
Dearwester has two prior OVI convicts, officers report.