PERRY TOWNSHIP, Montgomery County — Perry Township Trustee Hayes Johnston was arrested for OVI during a traffic stop last week, according to a Perry Township Police Department report.
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The traffic stop took place on Johnsville Brookville Road near Providence Place just after 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31.
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The officer stopped Johnston’s car after he saw that it didn’t have any lights “to the rear of the vehicle to illuminate the license plate.”
The report indicates that Johnston was leaving the Perry Township Administration Building before the traffic stop occurred.
“I made contact with the driver and immediately recognized the driver as Perry Township Trustee, Hayes Johnston,” the officer wrote.
The officer noted that he could “smell an overwhelming odor of an alcoholic beverage” when Johnston turned to talk to him.
Johnston agreed to complete Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) after the officer said he could smell alcohol on him, according to the report.
A Brookville Police Department captain responded to the scene to be a witness for the SFSTs.
The officer conducted several tests including the “Modified Romberg Balance Test,” the “finger-to-nose” test, the “Walk and Turn” test, the “one-leg stand” test and the “Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus” test.
Johnston was arrested at approximately 6:38 p.m. for OVI “based on the totality of the circumstances,” according to the report.
Body camera video shows Johnston losing his balance and wobbling during the “Walk and Turn” and “one-leg stand” tests.
The officer obtained a warrant to get a blood sample from Johnston, which occurred at Miami Valley Hospital north campus.
After a blood draw, Johnston was transported back to the Perry Township Police Department where he contacted Perry Township Fiscal Officer Jamie Evans for a ride, according to the report.
Johnston is facing one count of driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and one count of tail lights and illumination of rear license.
News Center 7 has reached out to the Perry Township Board of Trustees for comment on Johnston’s arrest.
We will continue to follow this story.
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