An Urbana man is facing OVI charges after an early Sunday morning traffic stop led officers to allegedly find him driving under the influence.
According to an Urbana Police Division report, officers observed a blue 2003 Chevy around 2:17 a.m. on Sunday, May 3, commit multiple traffic violations, including failing to properly stop at a stop sign and not using turn signals at intersections along West Church Street, North Russell Street, and Gwynne Street.
Police stopped the vehicle in the 300 block of Gwynne Street and identified the driver as John T. Blue III.
Officers reported Blue had bloodshot, glossy eyes, slurred speech, and later detected the odor of alcohol. Blue allegedly told officers he had consumed about six beers, with his last drink approximately 40 minutes earlier.
Police said Blue was unable to complete all field sobriety tests after telling officers he had leg and hip issues. A portable breath test reportedly showed a 0.181 BAC.
Blue was arrested and taken to the Urbana Police Division, where another breath test later registered a 0.160 BAC according to the report—twice Ohio’s legal limit.
A passenger in the vehicle reportedly told officers she had urged Blue to let her drive because he was too impaired.
Blue was charged with OVI and failure to use a turn signal. Court records show he has one prior OVI conviction from 1988.
He was later released to a sober driver.
