Columbus – Starting today, the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Share the Road Safely message will be viewed by motorists throughout Ohio on three commercial trucks as part of a statewide campaign to remind both car and truck drivers to share Ohio roadways safely.
The Patrol partnered with the Ohio Trucking Association (OTA) and three Ohio commercial trucking companies to expand the Share the Road Safely effort, which is funded by a federal educational grant from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), as part of the FMSCA Commercial Vehicle Safety Plan.
This week, decals bearing the Share the Road Safely message were placed on three commercial trucks owned by Roadway, ABF, and Connection.
"Motorists need to be aware of highway safety concerns in order to travel safely on our highways," Colonel Kenneth L. Morckel, Patrol superintendent said. "These three Ohio commercial trucks are taking the Share the Road Safely messages to the public. These travelling highway safety reminders will go a long way toward spreading highway safety awareness."
The commercial truck decals have a photograph of a Highway Patrol plane flying over a four-lane highway with both passenger and commercial vehicles travelling the highway safely. The words, "Share the Road Safely," and the 1-877-7-PATROL number are placed atop the photograph, along with logos for the Patrol, OTA, and FMCSA.
The Share the Road Safely effort began in June 2001 with the introduction of Share the Roads Safely billboards throughout Ohio.
Visit the Share the Roads Safely Web page for additional photos.
PIQUA - The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Piqua Post, in conjunction with the Tipp City Police Department and Miami County Sheriff’s Office, announced today that a sobriety checkpoint will be held in Miami County on Saturday, June 29, to deter and intercept impaired drivers. Lt. Daniel Springs, commander of the Piqua Patrol Post, said that officers will be conducting a roadside check of drivers for alcohol and drug impairment.
"It is our intent to inform people that officers will be vigilant in detecting and apprehending impaired drivers. We want to impress upon those who will be consuming alcohol to plan for a designated driver or to make other arrangements," Lt. Springs said.
The exact location of the checkpoint will be announced Saturday morning.
MANSFIELD - The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Mansfield Post, in conjunction with the Mansfield Police Department, and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, announced today that a sobriety checkpoint will be held tonight on State Route 39, at milepost 13.5, in Richland County, just inside the north city limits of Mansfield, from 8:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.
Lt. James E. Wernecke, commander of the Mansfield Patrol Post, said that sobriety checkpoints are designed to encourage those who plan to consume alcoholic beverages to plan for a designated driver or to make other arrangements.
"We want to discourage potential drinking drivers. That is our ultimate goal. However, the checkpoint is designed to remove impaired drivers from the road and that is what we intend to do," Lt. Wernecke said.
Support in conducting tonight’s sobriety checkpoint will be provided by the Ohio Department of Transportation.
MANSFIELD - The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Mansfield Post, in conjunction with the Mansfield Police Department, and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, announced today that a sobriety checkpoint will be held in Richland County on Friday, June 28, to deter and intercept impaired drivers. Lt. James E. Wernecke, commander of the Mansfield Patrol Post, said that officers will be conducting a roadside check of drivers for alcohol and drug impairment.
"It is our intent to inform people that officers will be vigilant in detecting and apprehending impaired drivers. We want to impress upon those who will be consuming alcohol to plan for a designated driver or to make other arrangements," Lt. Wernecke said.
The exact location of the checkpoint will be announced Friday morning.
COLUMBUS – Department of Commerce employee Amy Russell, 32, of Columbus, will appear in the Franklin County Municipal Court this morning after Troopers arrested her yesterday for theft in office, a fifth-degree felony.
An Ohio State Highway Patrol investigation revealed Russell deposited a blank money order, mailed to the Department of Commerce, into her personal account. The money order was sent to the Department of Commerce as payment for a private investigator license. An amount was written on the money order, but the payee was left blank. Russell signed her name as the payee and deposited the money into her personal account.
Russell has four active felony warrants from the Columbus Police Department for passing bad checks.
Russell is incarcerated in the Franklin County Jail. If convicted, she could face up to one year in jail and a $2,500 fine.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigates criminal activity on state owned and leased property.
COLUMBUS -- Colonel Kenneth L. Morckel, superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, announced today that troopers will operate two checkpoints to deter and intercept drinking drivers this weekend. Currently, the locations of the upcoming checkpoints are undisclosed. The counties in which the checkpoints will be held will be announced the day prior to each checkpoint, and the exact location will be announced the morning of each checkpoint.
"It is our intent to inform people that troopers will be vigilant in detecting and apprehending impaired drivers. As part of our heightened enforcement efforts, this year the Patrol plans to more than double the 19 sobriety checkpoints we coordinated in 2001. We want to impress upon those who will be consuming alcohol to plan for a designated driver or to make other arrangements," Colonel Morckel said.
Lt. Governor, Maureen O’Connor, Director of the Department of Public Safety, feels very strongly that checkpoints are effective in preventing the most deadly highway practice; driving under the influence. "Our ultimate goal is to reduce the number of highway deaths and injuries due to drunk and drugged driving. The combination of sobriety checkpoints, heightening public awareness and strictly enforcing laws is making the difference," Director O’Connor added.
Support in operating the upcoming sobriety checkpoints will be provided by local law enforcement agencies.
COLUMBUS -- Members of the 107th Basic Peace Officer Class received training certificates in a graduation ceremony held today at the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy. The 18 class members will assume duties as peace officers for 13 Ohio agencies.
The 16-week basic course began on March 4, 2002. The course was developed by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Council and offers comprehensive instruction in more than 150 topics, including criminal law, community relations, physical training, and patrol car operation.
Officer Kirk E. Seekins, of the Avon Lake Police Department, was selected class speaker by his fellow class members, and addressed the assembly. Officer Seekins also received top driving honors. Officer Mark Pfetzer, of the Mason Police Department, received top firearms honors, and Officer Shane Gosnell, of the Marion Police Department, earned top scholastic honors. Officer Scott A. Powell, of the Delaware Police Department, earned top honors for physical fitness and overall achievement.
State Representative Merle G. Kearns, District 74, was the featured speaker for the ceremony and addressed an audience of graduates, friends, relatives, and law enforcement officers.
Lt. Colonel Michael W. Finamore, assistant superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and Ernest Howard, deputy director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, joined State Representative Kearns in presenting certificates of training to the graduates.
| Basic Graduates and Agencies | |
| Kelie J. Anderson | Gahanna Police Department |
| Brian J. Daron | Upper Arlington Police Department |
| Shane A. Davis | Springfield Police Department |
| Mark Elliot | Marion Police Department |
| Kathleen S. Evans | Dublin Police Department |
| Kristopher R. Garman | Bowling Green Police Department |
| Shane Gosnell | Marion Police Department |
| Roger A. Jenkins II | Springfield Police Department |
| Michael J. Lewis | Strongsville Police Department |
| Brian D. Mummert | Brunswick Police Department |
| Mark Pfetzer | Mason Police Department |
| Scott A. Powell | Delaware Police Department |
| La’Toya M. Prieur | Springfield Police Department |
| Kirk E. Seekins | Avon Lake Police Department |
| Thomas L. Sichko | North Olmsted Police Department |
| Jeffrey S. Steving | Strongsville Police Department |
| Douglas W. Stroud | Strongsville Police Department |
| Robert M. Sury | Marietta Police Department |
MT. GILEAD – A London man and woman will be arraigned Thursday on illegal manufacturing of drug charges. Melissa Seli, 24, and Adrian Gaver, 27, were transporting a methamphetamine lab on Interstate 71 in Morrow County when troopers stopped their vehicle for a traffic violation. Seli and Gaver were both charged with illegal manufacturing of drugs, a second-degree felony.
Troopers stopped the vehicle for speed southbound on Interstate 71, Wednesday, June 19, at 3:12 p.m. A hypodermic syringe was discovered on Gaver, the driver. A K-9 responded and alerted to the vehicle at which time drug paraphernalia and several unknown substances were discovered. The search was halted for suspicion of a methamphetamine lab, in order for the proper safety precautions to be taken. Subsequent investigation confirmed the presence of a methamphetamine lab.
Seli and Gaver were both incarcerated in at the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office. If convicted, Seli and Gaver could face up to eight years in prison and up to a $15,000 fine.
ELYRIA - The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Elyria Post, in conjunction with the Lorain Police Department, announced today that a sobriety checkpoint will be held in Lorain County on Saturday, June 22, to deter and intercept impaired drivers. Lt. Chris Zurcher, commander of the Elyria Patrol Post, said that officers will be conducting a roadside check of drivers for alcohol and drug impairment.
"It is our intent to inform people that officers will be vigilant in detecting and apprehending impaired drivers. We want to impress upon those who will be consuming alcohol to plan for a designated driver or to make other arrangements," Lt. Zurcher said.
The exact location of the checkpoint will be announced Saturday morning.
MANSFIELD - A Lisbon woman will be arraigned in the Mansfield Municipal Court tomorrow on felony charges after she was arrested today for planning to convey heroin into the Mansfield Correctional Institution. Troopers charged Tonya McIlvain, 23, with attempting to convey drugs into a correctional facility, a third-degree felony, and minor-misdemeanor possession of marijuana.
Troopers and Department of Rehabilitation and Correction investigators obtained information that McIlvain planned to have heroin conveyed into the Mansfield Correctional Institution. At about 1:45 p.m. today, she sold approximately three grams of heroin to an undercover trooper at a pre-arranged location in Richland County with the understanding the drugs would be conveyed into the prison. She was also found to be in possession of a small amount of marijuana. The heroin has an estimated street value of $1,200, but inside the prison sells for approximately $12,000.
McIlvain was incarcerated at the Richland County Jail. If convicted of the third-degree felony, she could face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigates criminal activity on state owned and leased property.
| What: | Graduation of the 107th Basic Peace Officer Training Class |
| When: | Friday, June 21st, 1:00 P.M. |
| Where: | Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy 740 East 17th Avenue (IS71 @ 17th Avenue) Across from Ohio Expo Center |
| Who: | Lt. Colonel Michael W. Finamore,
Assistant Superintendent, Ohio State Highway Patrol Ernest Howard, Deputy Director, Ohio Department of Public Safety State Representative Merle G. Kearns, District 74 18 members of the 107th Basic Peace Officer Training Class Kirk E. Seekins, Avon Lake Police Department, Class Speaker |
The 18 members of the 107th Basic Peace Officer Training Class, representing 13 Ohio law enforcement agencies, will graduate and receive Basic Peace Officer certification and a Certificate of Completion from the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy.
Officers from the following police departments will participate: Gahanna; Upper Arlington; Springfield; Marion; Dublin; Bowling Green; Strongsville; Brunswick; Mason; Delaware; Avon Lake; North Olmsted; Marietta.
DEFIANCE – Officers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Defiance Post, and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, have announced plans to curb the alarming trend in fatal crashes occurring within the county. Last Saturday, two people were killed at a rural intersection near Deshler, raising the Henry County total to 13 fatalities this year.
Defiance Patrol Post commander Lt. Michael Sharp, and Henry County Sheriff John Nye, stated that motorists in Henry County can expect increased patrols and concentrated enforcement programs throughout the summer.
In July, troopers and deputies will initiate a month-long enforcement effort focusing on failure to yield violations in Henry County. This effort will include hourly stationary patrols at high-risk intersections. In those cruisers that are equipped, troopers and deputies will utilize in-car video cameras to record failure to yield violations. Officers will take a zero tolerance stance toward enforcing these violations.
"The Highway Patrol is committed to the reduction of traffic fatalities in Henry County," said Lt. Sharp. "We believe by working with the Henry County Sheriff’s Office we can save lives and prevent tragedies by altering crash-causing driving behavior through enforcement and education."
"Our deputies have been directed to be more vigilant toward enforcing crash-causing violations," said Sheriff Nye. "In the last two months alone, deputies have made approximately 300 enforcement contacts in areas where many of these fatalities have occurred."
Troopers from Patrol Posts in Defiance, Toledo, Lima, and Findlay initiated over 450 enforcement stops last week in the first of several planned enforcement blitzes. Henry County is the least populated of the 12 counties that comprise the Patrol’s Findlay District, yet it ranks in top five of Ohio’s 88 counties in the number of traffic fatalities this year.
Medina – A man with an active felony warrant out of Florida appeared in the Berea Municipal Court yesterday on felony drug charges after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seized $50,000 worth of marijuana from his vehicle Sunday morning on Interstate 71 in Cuyahoga County. Tracy Brassfield, 40, was charged with second-degree felony trafficking in marijuana and third-degree felony tampering with evidence.
Troopers stopped Brassfield on northbound Interstate 71, at milepost 233, in Cuyahoga County at 1:12 a.m. Sunday for a traffic violation. A K-9 alerted to the vehicle and troopers discovered 20 kilos of marijuana in a hidden compartment under the fuel tank. The street value of the marijuana is estimated at $50,000.
If convicted, Brassfield could face up to 13 years in prison, and up to a $25,000 fine. He is incarcerated at Cuyahoga County Jail and is being held on a $1.5 million bond.
LONDON - A Middletown woman is scheduled to appear in the Madison County Municipal Court today on felony charges after she was arrested for conveying marijuana into the London Correctional Institution on Friday afternoon. Troopers charged Teri S. Sorrell, 43, with conveying drugs into a correctional facility, a fifth-degree felony.
At approximately 1:00 p.m. Friday, after she had arrived at the institution for a visit, Sorrell was observed by Department of Rehabilitation and Correction investigators to be in possession of three balloons of marijuana, weighing approximately 6.1 grams, concealed in a Fritos bag. Patrol troopers were called to the scene and took Sorrell into custody.
Sorrell was incarcerated at the Tri-County Jail. If convicted, she could face up to one year in prison and a $2,500 fine.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigates criminal activity on state owned and leased property.
COLUMBUS -- Colonel Kenneth L. Morckel, superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, announced today that troopers will operate a checkpoint to deter and intercept drinking drivers this weekend. Currently, the location of the upcoming checkpoint is undisclosed. The county in which the checkpoint will be held will be announced the day prior to the checkpoint, and the exact location will be announced the morning of the checkpoint.
"It is our intent to inform people that troopers will be vigilant in detecting and apprehending impaired drivers. As part of our heightened enforcement efforts, this year the Patrol plans to more than double the 19 sobriety checkpoints we coordinated in 2001. We want to impress upon those who will be consuming alcohol to plan for a designated driver or to make other arrangements," Colonel Morckel said.
Lt. Governor, Maureen O’Connor, Director of the Department of Public Safety, feels very strongly that checkpoints are effective in preventing the most deadly highway practice; driving under the influence. "Our ultimate goal is to reduce the number of highway deaths and injuries due to drunk and drugged driving. The combination of sobriety checkpoints, heightening public awareness and strictly enforcing laws is making the difference," Director O’Connor added.
Support in operating the upcoming sobriety checkpoint will be provided by local law enforcement agencies.
ELYRIA - The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Elyria Post, in conjunction with the Lorain Police Department, announced today that a sobriety checkpoint will be held in Lorain County on Saturday, June 15, to deter and intercept impaired drivers. Lt. Chris Zurcher, commander of the Elyria Patrol Post, said that officers will be conducting a roadside check of drivers for alcohol and drug impairment.
"It is our intent to inform people that officers will be vigilant in detecting and apprehending impaired drivers. We want to impress upon those who will be consuming alcohol to plan for a designated driver or to make other arrangements," Lt. Zurcher said.
The exact location of the checkpoint will be announced Saturday morning.
columbus – Chardon Patrol
Post Tpr. William A. Davis’s patrol car video captures the impact of Saturday’s
crash on westbound State Route 2 in Lake County, which resulted in three
injured individuals, including 16-year Patrol veteran Tpr. Davis.
According to a preliminary crash report by the Mentor Police Department, on Saturday at approximately 2:30 p.m., Tpr. Davis was on-foot conducting a traffic stop when a passing vehicle struck both Tpr. Davis’s Patrol car and the car he had pulled over. Tpr. Davis was struck by flying debris, but escaped serious injury.
"This is the second Patrol video we have released this year that dramatically depicts why motorists need to move over or slow down when approaching an emergency vehicle," Col. Kenneth L. Morckel, patrol superintendent said. "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.
In March, Tpr. Christopher Wood’s patrol car video captured the impact of a crash on Interstate 71 in Richland County, which involved two Patrol cars. Tpr. Wood was on-foot approaching Tpr. Farley’s cruiser when a vehicle struck both cruisers.
LANCASTER - A Columbus woman appeared in the Lancaster Municipal Court today on felony charges after she was arrested for conveying drugs into the Southeastern Correctional Institution yesterday morning. Troopers charged Donna Wright-Jones, 37, with conveying drugs into a correctional facility, a third-degree felony.
Troopers and Department of Rehabilitation and Correction investigators developed information that Wright-Jones planned to deliver drugs into the Southeastern Correctional Institution during a visit. She was served with a search warrant at approximately 10:10 a.m. Sunday as she arrived to visit an inmate at the institution. Troopers located three balloons of marijuana, weighing approximately five grams, concealed in her clothing.
Wright-Jones is currently incarcerated at the Fairfield County Jail. If convicted, she could face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigates criminal activity on state owned and leased property.
COLUMBUS -- Colonel Kenneth L. Morckel, superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, announced today that troopers will operate a checkpoint to deter and intercept drinking drivers this weekend. Currently, the location of the upcoming checkpoint is undisclosed. The county in which the checkpoint will be held will be announced the day prior to the checkpoint, and the exact location will be announced the morning of the checkpoint.
"It is our intent to inform people that troopers will be vigilant in detecting and apprehending impaired drivers. As part of our heightened enforcement efforts, this year the Patrol plans to more than double the 19 sobriety checkpoints we coordinated in 2001. We want to impress upon those who will be consuming alcohol to plan for a designated driver or to make other arrangements," Colonel Morckel said.
Lt. Governor, Maureen O’Connor, Director of the Department of Public Safety, feels very strongly that checkpoints are effective in preventing the most deadly highway practice; driving under the influence. "Our ultimate goal is to reduce the number of highway deaths and injuries due to drunk and drugged driving. The combination of sobriety checkpoints, heightening public awareness and strictly enforcing laws is making the difference," Director O’Connor added.
Support in operating the upcoming sobriety checkpoint will be provided by local law enforcement agencies.
| What: | Ohio Highway Watch Kick-off |
| When: | Thursday, June 6, 2002, 1:45 p.m. |
| Where: | Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy 740 17th Ave., Columbus (Across from the Fair Grounds) |
| Who: | Ohio Governor Bob Taft Lt. Governor Maureen O'Connor, Director, Dept. of Public Safety Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Administrator Joseph Clapp Col. Kenneth L. Morckel, Superintendent, OSHP American Trucking Association President William Canary Ohio Trucking Association President Larry Davis Highway Watch trained commercial truck drivers |
The Ohio State Highway Patrol will conduct Highway Watch training to Ohio truck drivers. Highway Watch is a national highway safety and homeland security effort.
Note to editors: To coordinate a ride-along following the press event with a Highway Watch trained truck driver or Trooper please contact Lt. Gary Lewis at (614) 752-2792.
LEBANON - A Cincinnati woman will appear in the Lebanon Municipal Court today on felony charges after she was arrested for conveying drugs into the Lebanon Correctional Institution this morning. Troopers charged Brandy M. Flantoill, 25, with conveying drugs into a correctional facility, a third-degree felony.
Troopers and Department of Rehabilitation and Correction investigators developed information that Flantoill might attempt to deliver drugs into the Lebanon Correctional Institution during a visit. Flantoill consented to a search as she arrived at approximately 8:00 a.m. today to visit an inmate at the institution. Troopers located approximately eight grams of marijuana wrapped in two small plastic packages.
Flantoill is currently incarcerated at the Warren County Jail. If convicted, she could face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigates criminal activity on state owned and leased property.
COLUMBUS – The Ohio State Highway Patrol announced today plans to join other law enforcement and regulatory agencies throughout North America in the International Roadcheck 2002 safety effort, which involves commercial truck and bus inspections. The campaign is sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), and assisted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the Research and Special Programs Administration.
International Roadcheck 2002 is a 72-hour vehicle/driver inspection effort. Troopers and motor carrier enforcement inspectors will be performing roadside commercial truck and bus inspections along major highways. The effort runs from June 4 – 6, and also includes roving patrols that will inspect commercial vehicles traveling throughout Ohio.
"This is an extension of the Patrol’s proactive safety effort involving commercial trucks and motor coach bus inspections for safer vehicles on Ohio roadways. Additionally, the tragic events of September 11th have prompted heightened awareness regarding the safe transportation of hazardous materials as part of Ohio’s Homeland Security effort," Colonel Kenneth L. Morckel, Patrol superintendent said.
During International Roadcheck 2001, more than 45,000 vehicles were inspected nationwide. Of those inspections, 24.1 percent of vehicles were placed out-of-service because of safety violations and 5.7 percent of commercial drivers inspected were placed out-of-service for violations of federal safety regulations.
| What: | The Second Annual Ohio Law Enforcement & Public Safety Career Exposition |
| When: | Saturday, June 8, 2002, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
| Where: | The Ohio State Highway Patrol Training
Academy 740 East 17th Avenue ( I-71 @ 17th Ave, near the Ohio Expo Center) Columbus, Ohio |
| Who: | Ohio State Highway Patrol U.S. Secret Service U.S. Marshal’s Service U.S. Border Patrol U.S. Capitol Police Internal Revenue Service Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms Attorney General’s Office/BCI&I Federal Bureau of Investigation Drug Enforcement Agency Columbus, Akron, Toledo, Dayton and Worthington Fire Departments Franklin, Hamilton and Licking County Sheriff’s Offices Columbus, Worthington, Westerville, Newark, Cincinnati, Upper Arlington, Grove City, Reynoldsburg, Dublin, Bellefontaine, Bexley, Heath, ODNR Wildlife and Watercraft, Findlay, Fairborn, and Port Columbus Police Departments, and the Community-Based Correctional Facility. |
The Ohio State Highway Patrol will join other law enforcement and public safety agencies in the second annual Ohio Law Enforcement and Public Safety Career Exposition. Representatives from local agencies are seeking qualified young men and women who are interested in a career in public safety. Applications will be distributed on-site at the job exposition. Applicants can receive salary and benefit information at that time.