Columbus – Tpr. Christopher Wood’s patrol car video captures the impact of yesterday’s crash on Interstate 71 in Richland County, which involved Tpr. Wood and Tpr. Charles Farley. Tpr. Wood was on-foot approaching Tpr. Farley’s cruiser when a vehicle struck both cruisers.
"The patrol video we released today dramatically depicts why motorists need to move over or slow down when approaching an emergency vehicle," Col. Kenneth L. Morckel, patrol superintendent said. "I cannot express how thankful I am that everyone involved sustained only minor injuries. I hope these images will wake-up drivers to the dangers our troopers face everyday."
The "Move Over or Slow Down" state law requires motorists to move over or slow down for stopped law enforcement and public safety vehicles. Motorists must safely change lanes away from the public safety vehicle if traveling on multi-lane highways. If motorists cannot change lanes safely, or are on a two-lane highway, they must slow down and proceed with caution. The law went into effect in September 1999.
Earlier this week, Tpr. Michael Ramsey, from the Milan Patrol Post, was injured when he was struck by a vehicle during an investigation of a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 80 in Lorain County.
MAUMEE – A Massachusetts man will be arraigned today in the Maumee
Municipal Court on felony drug charges after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers
seized $1,232,610 worth of marijuana from his vehicle yesterday on Interstate 80
in Lucas County. Todd O. Seavey, 41, of Buckland, Mass. was charged with
second-degree felony possession of marijuana.
Troopers stopped a 2002 Ford F-350 pick-up with a camper, driven by Seavey, on eastbound Interstate 80, near milepost 57, in Lucas County at 2:48 p.m. yesterday for lane change and marked lanes violations. A canine alerted to the vehicle, and during a probable cause search troopers discovered 131 bundles of compressed marijuana, weighing 543 pounds, in a hidden compartment in the camper’s ceiling. The marijuana has an estimated street value of $1,232,610.
If convicted, Seavey could face up to eight years in prison, and up to a $15,000 fine. He was incarcerated in the Lucas County Jail.
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Tpr. Charles Farley |
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Tpr. Christopher Wood |
MANSFIELD -- The Ohio State Highway Patrol is currently investigating a crash on northbound Interstate 71 at State Route 97, near milepost 166, in Richland County that occurred on Thursday afternoon.
Preliminary reports indicate at approximately 2:30 p.m. today, Tpr. Christopher Wood, from the Mansfield Patrol Post, a seven-year veteran, and Tpr. Charles Farley, from the Patrol’s Bucyrus District, a six-year veteran, were investigating a crash on northbound Interstate 71, near milepost 166. Tpr. Wood was outside the cruiser, and Tpr. Farley was inside the cruiser when another vehicle struck the rear of the cruiser.
Tprs. Farley and Wood were transported to Mansfield General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The occupant of the vehicle involved in the initial crash, and the two occupants of the vehicle that struck the cruiser, were also transported to Mansfield General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The crash remains under investigation. Additional information will be released by Mansfield Post troopers as it becomes available.
London – A correction officer from the London Correctional Institution was arraigned today in the Madison County Municipal Court on felony drug charges after he was arrested by Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers yesterday who had information he planned to convey drugs to prison inmates. Richard Keplinger, 44, of South Solon, was charged with third-degree felony attempting to convey drugs onto the grounds of a correctional facility, fourth-degree felony possession of heroin, and minor misdemeanor possession of marijuana.
Troopers and Department of Rehabilitation and Correction officers developed information that Keplinger planned to convey drugs to inmates at the London Correctional Institution. At 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, troopers arrested Keplinger as he took possession of one and one-half grams of heroin, and one ounce of marijuana in Madison County prior to going to the prison.
Keplinger was incarcerated at the Tri-County Jail. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine for the third-degree felony, and up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine for the fourth-degree felony.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigates criminal activity on state owned and leased property.
MAUMEE – A Kent man will be arraigned today in the Maumee Municipal Court
on felony drug charges after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seized $49,940
worth of marijuana from his rented vehicle yesterday on Interstate 80 in Lucas
County. Charles W. Johnson, 30, was charged with third-degree felony possession
of marijuana.
Troopers stopped a rented 2002 Chevrolet Impala, driven by Johnson, on eastbound Interstate 80, near milepost 52, in Lucas County at 1:11 p.m. yesterday for a following too closely violation. A canine alerted to the vehicle, and during a probable cause search troopers discovered 22 pounds of marijuana located in luggage in the vehicle’s trunk. The marijuana found in the trunk has an estimated street value of $49,940. Troopers also discovered a small amount of marijuana in Johnson’s pocket.
If convicted, Johnson could face up to five years in prison, and up to a $10,000 fine. He was incarcerated in the Lucas County Jail.
Toledo – Five correction officers at the Toledo Correctional Institution were arrested today on charges for their promotion of an inmate fight.
Cole D. Tipton, 25, of Toledo; Wesley Mong, 26, of Northwood; and Lynn McCoy, 46, of Toledo were each charged with dereliction of duty, a second-degree misdemeanor. Aaron Griswold, 37, of Toledo, and Darren Beining, 23, of Fort Jennings, were each charged with inciting to violence, a first-degree misdemeanor; and dereliction of duty, a second-degree misdemeanor.
Troopers and Department of Rehabilitation and Correction investigators developed information that the five correction officers were involved in promoting a fight between two inmates. Griswold and Beining placed the two inmates in a cell to fight on Feb. 27.
All five will appear in the Toledo Municipal Court at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 27. If convicted, Tipton, Mong, and McCoy could face up to 90 days in prison, and up to a $750 fine. Griswold and Beining could face up to nine months in prison and a $1,750 fine.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigates criminal activity on state owned and leased property.
EATON – Two Boston men will be arraigned today in the Eaton Municipal Court on felony drug and weapons charges after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seized $300,000 worth of cocaine from their vehicle yesterday on Interstate 70 in Preble County. Miguel Jimenez, 28, and Victor Morales, 26, were each charged with first-degree felony trafficking in cocaine, and fourth-degree felony carrying concealed weapons.
Troopers stopped a Ford Expedition, driven by Jimenez, on eastbound Interstate 70, near milepost 8, in Preble County at 10:15 a.m. yesterday for a following too closely violation. A canine alerted to the vehicle, and during a probable cause search troopers discovered three kilograms of cocaine located in a hidden compartment in the floor of the cargo area. Troopers also found a loaded revolver in the compartment. The cocaine has an estimated street value of $300,000.
If convicted, each suspect could face up to 10 years in prison, and up to a $20,000 fine for the first-degree felony, and up to 18 months in prison, and a $5,000 fine for the fifth-degree felony. The two suspects were incarcerated in the Preble County Jail.
This is the second significant cocaine seizure made by state troopers in Preble County in the past week. On March 6, troopers seized $500,000 worth of cocaine, and arrested two suspects, following a traffic stop on eastbound Interstate 70 near milepost 13.
EATON – Two Chicago men will be arraigned today in the Eaton Municipal Court on felony drug charges after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seized $500,000 worth of cocaine from their vehicle yesterday on Interstate 70 in Preble County. Adan Orozco-Garcia, 21, and Jose Guadalupe-Rivera Campos, 26, were each charged with first-degree felony trafficking in cocaine, and fifth-degree felony possessing criminal tools.
Troopers stopped a 1995 Ford Expedition, driven by Orozco-Garcia, on eastbound Interstate 70, near milepost 13, in Preble County at 10:13 a.m. yesterday for a following too closely violation. A canine alerted to the vehicle, and during a probable cause search troopers discovered five kilograms of cocaine located in a hidden compartment in the floor of the cargo area. The cocaine has an estimated street value of $500,000.
If convicted, each suspect could face up to 10 years in prison, and up to a $20,000 fine for the first-degree felony, and up to one year in prison, and a $2,500 fine for the fifth-degree felony. The two suspects were incarcerated in the Preble County Jail.