Full Notification

Henry County – This morning, shortly after 1:00 A.M., Pendleton District Troopers Ray Otter and Thomas Ratliff were working traffic enforcement on I-70 in Henry County in conjunction with Operation Pull Over, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” which began August 21^st and runs through September 7^th.

Trooper Otter had a vehicle stopped on I-70 east bound around the 130 mile marker for a traffic violation, and Trooper Thomas Ratliff was coming up to assist, when he saw a van in front of him swerve over the right fog line directly at the rear of Otter’s fully marked police car.

The van swerved back onto the roadway at the last second, narrowly missing Otter’s car.  Ratliff gave chase and stopped the van around the 131 mile marker.  After speaking with the driver Zachary Gross, age 31 of Pendleton, Ratliff suspected he may be driving impaired.  Further investigation revealed that Gross was operating his van with a blood alcohol content more than twice the legal limit of .08% B.A.C.

In addition, Gross had his one year old son in the van with him.  Gross was arrested and charged with Operating While Intoxicated with a Passenger Less Than 18 Years Of Age, Level 6 Felony, and Operating While Intoxicated with Endangerment, Class “A” Misdemeanor.  Gross was lodged in the Henry County Jail. The child was transported and released to his mother.

Remember, motorists MUST change lanes away from emergency or utility vehicles if they can do it SAFELY; If not they must SLOW DOWN and proceed with caution. Please give us room to work. We are asking motorists to SLOW DOWN and/or MOVE OVER WHEN SAFE TO DO SO.

Vehicles included in the law are:
•Police vehicles
•Ambulances
•Fire trucks and rescue equipment
•Highway incident-response vehicles
•Highway work vehicles-including snow plows and construction vehicles
•Vehicle recovery equipment (tow trucks)

Through Labor Day Monday troopers will work overtime to conduct high-visibility enforcement activities designed specifically to identify impaired drivers.  Motorists will see an increased number of patrols looking for impaired and aggressive drivers during the Blitz #83 period, with troopers conducting saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints.

The Pendleton District covers the eight counties of Delaware, Madison, Randolph, Henry Wayne and Union as well as Rush and Fayette counties.  Motorists are encouraged to report suspected impaired drivers by calling 9-1-1. Give a vehicle description, location, and direction of travel. Never follow an impaired driver

All Suspects Are Presumed Innocent Until Proven Guilty in a Court of Law