Police find alcohol in crashed car

Published 1:45 pm Thursday, April 27, 2017

By Melanie Ruberti

Melanie.ruberti@lagrangenews.com

Public Safety Reports

LaGrange police officers believe alcohol may have played a factor into a one car crash on Commerce Avenue early Tuesday morning.

The driver of a tan Honda Accord was traveling east on Commerce Avenue when he crossed the center lane and two west bound lanes of traffic before striking a utility pole, according to the police report.

The accident caused about 1,000 people along Commerce Avenue and New Franklin Road to lose power for about 50 minutes, stated Patrick Bowie, director of Utilities for the city of LaGrange.

LPD officers stated the driver was not wearing his seatbelt when they arrived on scene. The man was reportedly conscious, but lethargic.

The driver was airlifted to Midtown Medical Center in Columbus for treatment, the report stated.

Officers discovered a cup in the center console of the car that smelled of alcohol, according to the report. They also found an empty 100 ml glass bottle of brandy inside the vehicle.

A check of the man’s driver’s license revealed he is unlicensed with two active suspensions: Failure to Appear in 2000 and a previous DUI, also in 2000, the report read.

LaGrange police had medical personnel draw the driver’s blood to check for the presence of alcohol, the report said.

Officers charged the man with DUI – less safe, striking a fixture, driving on a suspended license and failure to maintain lane.

Shoplifting

A man arrested for shoplifting at the Home Depot at 1500 Lafayette Parkway may face additional charges.

Joseph McKay was initially arrested on April 20, the report stated.

The store manager noticed when he reviewed more surveillance footage, the video showed McKay placing equipment inside a toolbox – and only paid for the box, according to the police report.

McKay allegedly placed four Dewalt drill/impact driver inside the toolbox, the report read.

The total value was $1,096.

McKay was charged with theft by shoplifting – which is a felony.

All information in this report is gathered from official law enforcement and public safety reports and releases. It is the policy of the Daily News to list the names of people charged with felonies. Reach the LaGrange Daily News at 706-884-7311.