Mahoning OVI checkpoint nabs four on drug charges

CANFIELD — Four people were charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, four were arrested on drug charges, and 30 were cited for failure to wear safety belts during the sobriety checkpoint conducted by the Mahoning County OVI (operating a Vehicle Impaired) Task force on Friday.

The average blood-alcohol level for the four people arrested was 0.168, just over double the legal limit of .08.

The checkpoint was conducted from 10 p.m. Friday until 2 a.m. today at 4120 Boardman-Canfield Road.

Agencies participating were Canfield, Goshen, Boardman, New Middletown, Beaver, Jackson, Lake Milton State Park, Austintown, Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office.

During the four hours, 1,354 vehicles passed through the checkpoint zone, 1,301 were checked, two people were arrested for driving under suspension, one had no driver’s license, and four vehicles were seized.