A local man is facing a sixth drunk driving charge after he nearly ran over a deputy at the Union County Fair.
Phillip Salmons, 50, of 11007 Watkins Road, Marysville, has been indicted by the Union County Grand Jury. He is charged with one count each of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and endangering children. The grand jury has also added a specification that Salmons be identified and labeled as a repeat offender. According to court documents, Salmons has a 1999 conviction in Logan County, a 2000 conviction in Union County, a 2008 conviction in Delaware County, a 2010 conviction in Delaware County and a 2015 conviction in Franklin County.
On July 24, Salmons was participating in a drag race competition as part of the 2018 Union County Fair. According to court documents, as Salmons was lining up for the race, he nearly hit a deputy who was directing traffic. Union County Prosecutor Dave Phillips said that when deputies approached the vehicle, Salmons allegedly drove away, doing donuts in the truck and spraying mud at the deputies.
“Salmons was arrested for OVI and had to be supported while he walked to the sheriff’s office so he didn’t fall,” wrote Deputy Morgan Brown.
Additionally, Salmons had his 17-year-old nephew in the car at the time of the arrest.
Phillips said that with the number of prior convictions Salmons has, he wants to have him labeled as a repeat offender. If convicted, Salmons could face more than five years in prison for the drunk driving charge with 180 days possible for a child endangering conviction. Additionally, the repeat offender specification could carry an additional mandatory prison sentence of as many as five years.
Also indicted was:
– Phillips S. Hughes, 58, of 4343 Stover Road, Ostrander. Hughes is charged with one count each of felonious assault, menacing and operating a vehicle at an unreasonably slow speed and a violation of traffic laws that includes illegally parking on the roadway.
Phillips said that Hughes was following a husband and wife on bicycles. The wife said the pair was on “a training ride.”
When Hughes went to pass the bicyclists, the woman swerved in front of him, Phillips said.
“She claims to have swerved to avoid hitting a bird,” Phillips said.
When the woman swerved, Hughes honked his horn.
Phillips said the woman “visibly expressed her displeasure with him” using a hand gesture.
“Mr. Hughes stopped his vehicle in the roadway,” Phillips said. “At that point, there were words exchanged and an altercation ensued.”
Phillips said the woman claims she lost control of her bicycle and toppled over when Hughes stopped his car.
“Mr. Hughes allegedly pushed the husband, who was on his bicycle,” Phillips said. “He hit the ground resulting in a fractured elbow requiring surgery.”
Phillips said Hughes’ is claiming he was attacked and shoved the man in self-defense.
“Obviously, Mr. Hughes should have just driven on either way,” Phillips said.
If convicted, Hughes could face more than eight years in prison.
The woman said she wants to “spread awareness about cooperative use of roadways in Central Ohio.”
“We are hopeful this will be a wake-up call to motorists to respect cyclists and to obey the law,” the woman wrote in an e-mail.
– Lamont R. Walton, 33, of 821 Derrer Road, Columbus. Walton is charged with two counts of having weapons under disability and one count each of carrying a concealed weapon, possession of marijuana and improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, stemming from a July 6 incident. Walton was stopped on an alleged traffic offense. When law enforcement officials spoke with Walton the learned he had an active warrant for his arrest connected to an aggravated assault allegation in Georgia. Walton allegedly had a .380 semi-automatic handgun loaded in the car. While Walton allegedly did not have a permit to carry the concealed weapon, because of the active warrant for an alleged offense of violence, Walton is prohibited from having any guns. If convicted on all counts, Walton could face more than 13 years in prison. Additionally, prosecutors are looking to take the handgun they believe was used in the commission of a crime.