COLUMBIANA CO. Trooper pleads innocent to DUI

The off-duty trooper was also accused of driving 91 mph in a 65 mph zone.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LISBON -- A 34-year-old Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper has pleaded innocent to charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding.
Trooper Donald Walker entered the pleas Monday in Columbiana County Municipal Court at Lisbon.
He is scheduled to return to court at 1:30 p.m. Monday for a pretrial.
Walker, who is stationed at the Southington patrol post and lives in Cortland, could not be reached.
According to patrol reports, a trooper spotted Walker traveling at a high rate of speed on state Route 11 around 11:25 p.m. June 11.
The trooper from the Lisbon post used radar to track the speed, according to the citation, and said he was clocked at 91 mph in a 65 mph zone.
Walker was not working at the time, officials said.
Breathalyzer test given
Walker was pulled over and was given an alcohol Breathalyzer test at the Lisbon post, officials said.
The Breathalyzer tests exhaled breath and measures the amount of alcohol in the body.
The report also states that the pavement was clear and traffic was light.
Walker's test had a reading of 0.20, twice the legal limit of 0.10 at which a driver can be deemed impaired. A pending state law would reduce the limit to 0.08.
Lt. George Williams, commander of the Southington patrol post, was in Columbus and could not be reached immediately.
Patrol officials said Williams will review the matter before deciding whether Walker will face disciplinary action.
If convicted of the misdemeanor charges, Walker could face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Walker could also be required to attend a three-day program sponsored by the OSHP for first-time DUI offenders, officials said.
sinkovich@vindy.com