Authorities from the Logan County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the area of State Route 235 and State Route 366 in reference to a motor vehicle accident Saturday morning around 12:30.
Upon arrival, deputies observed a telephone pole was snapped and a headlight assembly laying in the field. A fluid trail was present on the roadway, indicating that the vehicle proceeded south on State Route 235. Deputies traced the fluid trail heading into Lakeview and located the vehicle, a black Dodge Charger, behind the property of Shoffstall Funeral Home. It had heavy front-end damage.
Justin Romito, 28, had been traveling southbound on State Route 235 near State Route 366 when he failed to negotiate the curve and left the roadway striking the telephone pole. He then left the scene.
Romito was asked to shut his vehicle off as there was heavy smoke coming from the hood.
Signs of impairment were observed. Romito had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath, his eyes were bloodshot and glossy, and he was uneasy on his feet.
A witness confirmed that Romito was the driver. Deputies observed damage to the vehicle from striking the telephone pole.
Romito said that he had been drinking.
He agreed to perform field sobriety tests and failed. Romito got emotional during the tests and said he was not driving.
He was arrested for OVI and transported to the Logan County Jail.
Romito refused to submit a breath test.
He was cited for OVI and failure to control.
He did not sustain any apparent injuries and was released to a sober driver.
CenturyLink was advised of its snapped pole. It was not a roadway hazard.
