Multiple Charges Brought Against Chardon Home Wrecker

January 9, 2014

A driver ended 2013 with a bang by crashing into a Chardon home and being arrested for an OVI.

Derek Stivers, 24, appeared in Chardon Municipal Court early last Friday on charges of operating a vehicle under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to control his vehicle, expired license plates and possession of drug paraphenalia related to marijuana.

Stivers, who appeared before Chardon Municipal Court Judge Terri Stupica, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Stupica said the charges carry both jail time and fines. Each of the OVI and hit-skip charges carry a sentence of up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. The expired plate charge carries a sentence of up to 30 days in jail and a fine.

For having possession of the drug paraphernalia, Stivers, who doesn’t have any prior criminal record, could have his driver’s license suspended for six months, she said.

At 4:35 a.m. Dec. 31, Chardon Police were called to investigate a traffic crash in which a vehicle drove into a house at 502 Crocker Blvd., Chardon.

Patrolmen observed the damage and learned that Stivers had left the scene of the accident, Police Chief Tim McKenna said last Thursday.

Patrolmen Chuck Pirnat and Sgt. Rusty White noticed a white 2005 Subaru Impreza leaving Irma Drive and turning onto South Hambden Street.

Pirnat noticed heavy damage to the vehicle and the operator having difficulty controlling the vehicle, according to a Chardon Police Department press release.

Police stopped the vehicle at the Geauga Park District Mountain Run Station parking area on Chardon-Windsor Road, just east of the scene of the accident. With the help of a Geauga Park District ranger, the police took the driver into custody.

Stivers was initially charged with operating a vehicle while under the influence, McKenna said.

“The numbers indicate he was over the limit,” the chief said.

A young child who would normally be sleeping in the front bedroom was found sleeping with his mother in a separate bedroom.

At 5:13 a.m., the Chardon Fire Department was paged to the residence and found the occupants were unharmed. Fire department personnel and officials from the Geauga County Building Department determined the extent of the structural damage and secured the home.

A structural engineer was called to determine if the home is habitable.

“Damage estimates are over $50,000,” McKenna said.

Stivers, who has since posted his $1,250 bond, will have a pretrial hearing in a few weeks, Stupica said.