Two men were arrested on operating a vehicle impaired (OVI) charges following separate traffic stops late last week in Urbana.
According to reports from the Urbana Police Division, the first incident occurred around 1:07 a.m. Friday, January 30, a purple 2022 Chevrolet was observed failing to stop at the intersection of East Court Street and East Lawn Avenue at an estimated 40 miles per hour. A traffic stop was initiated in the 600 block of East Court Street.
The driver, Jordan Paul, 31, of Springfield, showed signs of impairment, including bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and the odor of an alcoholic beverage. Paul refused field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest for OVI.
A search of the vehicle revealed a small baggie of marijuana and several bottles of Bud Light, including one partially consumed.
Paul later refused a breath test at the Urbana Police Division and was charged with OVI, a traffic control device violation, and open container before being released to a sober driver.
The second incident occurred Saturday, January 31, when officers observed a black Chevrolet truck traveling in the wrong lane on South Main Street near the 1300 block. The vehicle did not immediately stop and was found to have an obscured license plate.
The driver, Fredrick Stokes, 52, of Marysville, showed signs of impairment, including bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, unsteady balance, and the odor of alcohol. He refused additional sobriety testing and chemical testing and was taken into custody for OVI.
Further investigation revealed that Stokes was driving under a non-compliant license suspension and had expired registration. He was charged with OVI, driving in marked lanes, non-compliance suspension, and expired registration, and was later transported to the Tri-County Jail.
