Boardman police arrest two suspected impaired drivers

Staff report

BOARDMAN

Township police arrested two suspected impaired drivers over the weekend – one of whom crashed into a police cruiser, and the other who assaulted a police officer, police said.

According to a police report, officers were dispatched to a Taco Bell on U.S. Route 224 about 11:45 p.m. Saturday in reference to “a vehicle that had been in the parking lot for at least 45 minutes” with a man slumped at the wheel.

Police reported finding Christopher Jibotian, 31, of Boardman, in the driver’s seat, “slumped with his head down.” Police also reported that the car was in drive, and an open container of whiskey was on the passenger seat.

Jibotian was charged with operating a vehicle while impaired after taking a field-sobriety test, according to the report. Police said Jibotian began to “mock” the arresting officer, then refused to comply with officers. Police said Jibotian attempted to head-butt one officer and had to be picked up and placed in the police cruiser. The report said he also repeatedly cursed at officers.

Charges of obstructing official business, assault on a peace officer and resisting arrest were added, according to the report.

Jibotian also was cited for having an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle.

According to another police report, officers were dispatched about 2:40 a.m. Sunday to the area of 224 and Pinewood Drive for a report of a driver traveling on the wrong side of the road.

An officer then reported that the car struck his cruiser.

The driver, identified as Roosevelt Simmons Jr., 22, of Youngstown, repeatedly told police, “Sorry,” and said, “I’m tripping. I’m tripping bad,” according to the report.

Police reported finding a gun in the center console of the vehicle Simmons was driving. They confirmed he has a concealed-carry weapon permit.

Simmons was taken to a hospital, where police said he became more alert after he was given a dose of naloxone, a medication for opioid overdoses.

Simmons faces charges of OVI, improper handling of a firearm, obstructing official business, resisting arrest and hit/skip, according to court records.

He also was cited for failure to control and improper lane usage.