Two drivers were arrested for OVI in separate Urbana traffic stops just hours apart this past weekend.
The first arrest began around 10 p.m. Saturday when police were called to Walmart on East U.S. Route 36. A caller reported that a man who appeared intoxicated had left two children inside a running vehicle while he went into the store.
Officers found the vehicle and watched it until the driver returned. After the vehicle left the parking lot, police stopped it for a tail light violation.
The driver, Alexander Scott, told officers he had left the children in the vehicle for about 10 minutes while he shopped.
Police learned Scott had an active warrant from Union County and was driving with a suspended license. Officers also reported signs of impairment, including bloodshot eyes and the smell of alcohol.
According to the report, Scott failed field sobriety tests and later registered a 0.163 on a breath test at the police station, more than twice Ohio’s legal limit of 0.08.
Scott was charged with OVI, driving under suspension, child endangering, and a tail light violation. He was taken to the Tri-County Regional Jail on the outstanding warrant.
About two and a half hours later early Sunday morning, an officer stopped a white Porsche on Miami Street after noticing it was being driven without taillights.
The driver, David Curnutte, reportedly had slurred speech and trouble keeping his balance. Police said he nearly fell several times while speaking with officers and during field sobriety testing.
A portable breath test showed a result of 0.136. Curnutte later told officers he had consumed two shots of bourbon and one beer. A breath test at the police station registered 0.124.
Curnutte was charged with OVI and a taillight violation. Police said he was released to a sober driver after receiving his citations.
