LIMA – A mother has been charged with felony DWI after her vehicle took out two mailboxes and a highway sign and struck a utility pole, flipping her over on Plank road in Lima at about 2:20p.m. on Friday. Neither she nor her one-year-old son were badly injured in the crash.
Livingston County Sheriff Thomas Dougherty told reporters on scene that charges were pending for the driver, now known to be Amber Boerner, 28, of Lima. Boerner was accompanied to Strong Memorial Hospital by Sheriff Deputies. Sheriff Dougherty later added that Boerner was charged with Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated under Leandra’s Law, which makes any DWI charge a felony if a child under age 15 is in the vehicle. Boerner was also charged with multiple traffic violations.
“Of course our first concerns are medical,” said Captain Brian Applin of the Sheriff’s Office on scene. “But it is very likely that there will be charges for the driver.”
Debris from two mailboxes could be seen in the fresh tire tracks on the side of the road, as well as a sign designating Plank Road as Lima Veterans Memorial Highway.
A repair truck from National Grid arrived on scene to inspect the utility pole for damage, finding none besides significant scarring from the moving car.
Sheriff Dougherty and Undersheriff Matthew Bean were on scene with multiple Deputies and investigators, along with a Lima Fire Department fire engine and ambulances.
Boerner was remanded to the custody of the Sheriff on $1500 cash bail or $3000 bond. Boerner is currently being held in the Livingston County Jail.
PHOTO CAPTION: Top- Image courtesy of the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office.
Bottom- Image by Conrad Baker.