A drunk driver was cited following a two-vehicle injury accident outside of Belle Center Saturday night just before 9:30.
Deputies from the Logan County Sheriff’s Office were on patrol in the area of Route 68 and State Route 273, near Stemble’s Meats, when they discovered a crash at the intersection.
Authorities observed a heavily damaged Nissan Altima that appeared to be smoking.
Deputies assisted the female operator, Wendy Garcia, 43, of Bellefontaine, and her one-year-old grandson from the vehicle.
The operator of the other vehicle, Erin Bradley, 33, of Lakeview, approached authorities. She told deputies that she was okay and did not “really know what happened.”
While Bradley was speaking, authorities immediately detected an overwhelming odor of an alcoholic beverage coming off her person. Her eyes were also glassy.
When asked, Bradley stated she consumed a couple of drinks.
She refused field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest.
In Bradley’s vehicle in plain view, deputies saw an open can of beer on the driver’s floorboard. A cooler on the front seat floorboard was also located and it contained two additional cans of unopened beer.
She was transported to the Logan County Jail and charged with OVI and aggravated vehicular assault.
No major injuries were observed on Bradley.
Garcia sustained serious injuries and was transported to Mary Rutan Hospital by Rushcreek Township EMS. Her grandson was not injured but was transported also as a precaution and was later released to other family members.
Both drivers had their seat belts on and the child was restrained in a car seat.
