Craig A. Wells, 39, of North Olmsted was arrested Tuesday night after driving his vehicle through road barriers and closure signs, colliding head-on with a parked Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) truck, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
ODOT employee Robert L. Custer, 54, of Alliance, Ohio, was parked on State Route 619 in Marlboro Twp. responding to a downed utility pole and downed wires in the roadway on State Route 619.
The ODOT vehicle Custar was in sat parked inside the closed portion of the roadway when it was struck by a vehicle traveling eastbound on State Route 619.
OHSP say Wells was traveling east on SR 619 when he drove through the road closure signs and struck the parted ODOT truck. The ODOT driver and Wells were both transported from the scene to the hospital with minor injuried.
After investigation, it was determined Wells was impaired by both alcohol and drugs at the time of the crash, what police say is his fourth OVI within the last 10 years. A loaded handgun was also found in Wells’ vehicle.
He was taken into custody and booked into the Stark County jail after being released from the hospital. Wells was charged with a felony OVI offense, operating a vehicle while suspended, failure to maintain assured clear distance ahead, and possession of a loaded firearm.