Patrol Continues to Focus on Removing Impaired Drivers from Ohio Roadways as Holidays Approach
Ashland – As friends and families gather across Ohio this holiday season, the Ohio State Highway Patrol will be highly visible on the state’s roadways. As always, the Patrol is committed to removing dangerous and impaired drivers, keeping Ohioans and our visitors safe.
“There is never an excuse for driving impaired,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “I encourage everyone to drive responsibly every day; troopers will have no tolerance for those driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”
Since 2019, there have been 72,130 impaired driving-related crashes, resulting in the deaths of 3,920 people. This accounts for 54% of all fatal crashes on Ohio roadways. Additionally, during the same time period, nearly 44,000 others were injured in OVI-related crashes. Alcohol and/or drugs played a role in 53% of fatal crashes in the state. Of the 3,587 OVI-related fatal crashes since 2019, 28% were alcohol related, 40% were drug-related and 32% were a combination of alcohol and drugs.
“Telling families that your loved one won’t be coming home is one of the most difficult duties our troopers face, especially during the holiday season,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “When you plan ahead and make responsible decisions, such as driving sober, you’re helping to ensure a safe holiday season for everyone.”
Troopers have issued more than 101,000 citations related to OVI since 2019, with nearly one in four citations involving a motorist impaired by one or more drugs.
The public is encouraged to safely call #677 to report reckless or impaired drivers and drug activity.
Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Savannah Fire Department & EMS, and Nankin and Orange Township EMS responded to State Route 511 near County Road 1104 for a deer versus van accident this afternoon.
No injuries reported, but the airbags deployed after the deer struck the side of the van.
I decided to make a humorous side to this story
BREAKING: Deer Accused of Vehicular Mischief on State Route 511
Nankin, OH — Chaos erupted on State Route 511 near County Road 1104 as a rogue deer collided with a northbound van, setting off airbags and leaving behind nothing but a smear of bodily fluids and one very confused driver. The deer, clearly uninterested in exchanging insurance information, fled the scene, sparking a hunt for the suspect.
Responders from the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Savannah Fire Department & EMS, and Nankin and Orange Township EMS arrived quickly to assess the situation. Despite the airbag’s dramatic deployment, the van suffered only minor scratches. The passengers, unharmed but undoubtedly startled, were checked over by EMS and released with no injuries—unless you count a newfound distrust of wildlife.
Sergeant Neff of the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, a man known for his quick wit, addressed the incident with humor. “If we can locate the deer,” Neff joked, “it’ll be facing charges for failure to yield, leaving the scene of an accident, and Hit & Run Unfortunately, it seems to be operating without a license or fixed address, so this could get complicated.”
The deer in question is described as medium build with brown hair, four legs, and a white tail—a description that matches approximately 98% of the local deer population. Witnesses last saw the suspect bounding into the woods, likely muttering, “Catch me if you can.”
Local wildlife expert Doug “The Buck Whisperer” Carlson weighed in on the event, calling it part of a troubling trend. “These deer are getting bold,” he said. “First, it’s running into vehicles. Next, it’s raids on the bird feeders. We need to set boundaries before it escalates.”
As for the deer, it remains at large. Law enforcement advises motorists to stay vigilant and remember that the woods are full of suspects who may, at any moment, throw caution—and themselves—to the wind.
AU Symphonic Band, Ashland Community Band presenting Winter Concert on Dec. 6
Ashland University’s annual Winter Festival Band Concert will be held this Friday, Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m., at Hugo Young Theatre in the Center for the Arts. The free concert features the AU Symphonic Band and the Ashland Area Community Band and includes a series of holiday-themed selections.
Each ensemble is conducted by Joseph Lewis Jr., director of bands at AU.
The AU Symphonic Band, consisting of about 60 students from Ohio and across the U.S., features a high level of artistry and musicianship and performs an array of literature. On the docket for Friday night are “Where the Black Hawk Soars,” a soaring melody reminiscent of the flight of a hawk by Robert W. Smith; “Winter’s Revel,” a declarative melody featuring sleigh bells by Erika Svanoe; “Sleep My Child” by modern Grammy Award-winning composer Eric Whitacre; and “Them Basses, which has been used in countless movies and television shows.” by Getty Huffine.
The Ashland Area Community Concert Band, founded in 1993, is an ensemble that includes both university students and members of the community and performs a wide variety of literature from Broadway selections and classic marches to masterworks transcribed for concert band. Friday’s concert selections include “Procession of Nobles,” a grand march by Rimsky Korsakov; “Stille Nacht (Silent Night),” the popular Christmas carol composed by Franz Gruber; “La Sorella,” a melody that evokes the sights and sounds of France by Charles Borel-Clerc; “Lux Aurumque (Light and Gold),” a Christmas-based piece on a Latin poem by Whitacre; “A Christmas Festival,” a well-known holiday arrangement by Leroy Anderson that the audience will tap their feet too.
For more information, please contact Joseph Lewis Jr. at jlewisjr@ashland.edu or 419-289-5132.
Ashland Post Welcomes New Trooper to the Ohio Highway Patrol
Ashland County, OH — The Ashland Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is excited to announce the arrival of its newest trooper, Savanna C. Miller. Trooper Miller graduated on November 8, 2024, as part of Class #174 from the State Highway Patrol Academy, where she completed 26 weeks of rigorous training.
A native of Valley City, Ohio, Trooper Miller is a proud graduate of Buckeye High School in Medina County. Before embarking on her career in law enforcement, she served the community by working in the Parks Department for the City of Medina.
With her academy training complete, Trooper Miller will now enter a field training phase spanning at least 70 working days. During this time, she will work alongside two Field Training Officers who will provide mentorship and ensure she gains practical, on-the-job experience in her new role.
The Ashland Post invites community members to welcome Trooper Miller as she begins her journey of service and dedication to protecting the residents of Ashland County. Her addition reflects the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s commitment to maintaining the safety and well-being of Ohio’s roads and communities.
So, leave her a message of encouragement in the comments.
ASHLAND, OH — The Ashland Police Division proudly welcomed its newest member, Officer Tyler Davis, during an oath of office ceremony on December 2, 2024. Mayor Matt Miller administered the oath, officially marking the beginning of Davis’s service to the community.
Officer Davis, 24, is a native of Ashland and a graduate of Ashland High School. A United States Marine Corps veteran, he recently completed his Police Academy training at North Central State College in August. This marks his first appointment as a peace officer.
Over the next four months, Davis will participate in the department’s field training program, working closely with experienced officers to become familiar with the division’s procedures and operations.
Expressing his dedication to the community, Officer Davis shared, “I grew up in Ashland and I care about the community. I feel like I am supposed to be here.”
With Davis joining the ranks, the Ashland Police Division now consists of 30 full-time officers, all committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of the city’s residents.
The Ashland Police Division and the City of Ashland welcome Officer Davis and look forward to his contributions to the department and the community.
Today, is the day Ashland, OH will officially attempt to make history by setting a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORD™ at our very own Candy Cane Trail! An official adjudicator from Guinness World Records will be on hand to make the final determination.
Crash on US 30 in Ashland County Injures One Driver
Jeromesville, Ohio – The Ohio Highway Patrol, Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Jeromesville Fire Department & EMS were called to the scene of a two-vehicle accident on the eastbound side of US 30 at Ashland County Road 2175 tonight.
Robert Hamilton, 75, of Salyersville, Kentucky, was driving a 2005 Dodge Ram westbound on US 30. While making a left turn onto Ashland County Road 2175, Hamilton failed to yield to an eastbound 2024 Mazda driven by Daniel Pavkov, 59, of North Canton, Ohio. The collision sent both vehicles off the right side of the roadway near the intersection.
Daniel Pavkov was transported to University Hospital Samaritan Medical Center by Jeromesville EMS with non-life-threatening injuries.
Hamilton was not injured in the crash but was cited for failing to yield the right-of-way.
Two-Vehicle Crash at US Route 42 and State Route 603 Sends Five to Hospital
Ashland County, OH — Ohio Highway Patrol, Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Ashland Fire Department & EMS responded to a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of US Route 42 and State Route 603 around 6:21 p.m. this evening.
The crash occurred when Robert Brogden, 35, of Gordon, Ohio, driving a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica van northbound on State Route 603, failed to yield at a stop sign while crossing US Route 42. His vehicle was struck by a southbound 2025 Chevy Trax driven by Martina Turnick, 22, of North Royalton, Ohio.
The impact caused Brogden’s Chrysler Pacifica to spin and overturn onto its side. Emergency responders had to mechanically extract Brogden from the vehicle. Despite the dramatic scene, he sustained only minor injuries and did not require transportation to a hospital.
Robert Brogden carrying six passengers at the time of the collision, Five were transported to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
Following the investigation, Robert Brogden was cited for failure to yield at a stop sign.
On November 28th, 2024, at 6:55 pm, the Ashland Police Division received a report that 43year-old Jermaine Anderson of Ashland went missing.
Officers learned Jermaine was last seen around 11:23 pm on November 27th. Ashland police interviewed friends, potential witnesses and began searching the downtown area. Tragically, an officer found Jermaine deceased in the Town Run Creek near City Lot B.
The Ashland County Coroner’s Office and the Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) have been contacted and are collaborating with us.
Currently, there are no concerns for the public’s safety. The division continues to conduct a thorough and ongoing investigation and kindly asks the public to respect the family’s privacy as they mourn the loss of Jermaine.
Joe Lyons •
December 3, 2024
