Speeding drunk driver arrested in the city

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A speeding drunk driver was arrested Saturday morning just after midnight in Bellefontaine.

Officers from the Bellefontaine Police Department were on patrol on West Sandusky Avenue when they observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed.

Authorities used their radar and it showed the vehicle was traveling at speeds of 46, 47, and 48 MPH in a 25 MPH zone.

A traffic stop was initiated in the Marathon gas station parking lot on East Sandusky.

The driver, Trenton Mathews, 42, of Bellefontaine, quickly exited the vehicle and told officers he was heading home.

He was asked if he knew how fast he was traveling and he replied 35 MPH. Mathews was advised he was clocked going 48 MPH.

While speaking with him, authorities noticed his eyes were bloodshot and glossy and they also smelled the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath.

Mathews was asked how much he had to drink and he stated he had nothing to drink. Officers then told him they could smell it coming from his breath. Mathews again claimed he had not been drinking.

At first, he declined field sobriety tests.

When Mathews was told he was under arrest for OVI, he asked if he could take the tests.

Officers learned Mathews had an active warrant for a parole violation and they told him he could take the field sobriety tests at the Logan County Jail.

Authorities found two open containers inside Mathews’ vehicle when they moved it into a legal parking space.

At the jail, Mathews became belligerent with staff, saying the arresting officer was with the FBI and violated all of his rights.

He was advised that he had a warrant. Mathews stated he was not on PRC, and his trial was passed the speedy trial time. He also added, “President Trump waived all my stuff and I’m not supposed to be arrested.”

Mathews refused to provide any samples.

Officers learned he had a prior OVI conviction from February 2012.

Mathews was lodged for OVI and his warrant.