ky_bull
12-18-2007, 07:24 PM
You have to love the local news.
http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=37023&format=html
LANCASTER - Lancaster police say they had no choice but to cite a local resident for reckless driving in an electric wheelchair earlier this month.
Chief Ron Lamb said Ohmer Portwood has been warned on several occasions but continues to operate his wheelchair in a dangerous fashion.
Portwood, 69, of 85 Cardinal Circle, was cited Dec. 4. According to police, Portwood was driving northbound in the southbound lane on U.S. 27 in such a way that created a back-up in the traffic flow.
However, the county attorney said the charge will be amended at the pre-trial conference next month.
"I got the charge wrong," Jeff Moss said. "Mr. Portwood was stopped by an officer who called me." Moss said after some quick research, he advised the officer to charge Portwood with reckless driving.
"Later research revealed that Mr. Portwood would be considered a pedestrian as opposed to a driver," Moss said.
Lamb said he understands Portwood's complaints about the fact there is no sidewalk on Cardinal Circle where Portwood lives.
"But we've told him several times that he has to stay out of the main roads like that," Lamb said.
Assistant Chief Wanda Shelton said it is not uncommon to answer multiple complaints in a week about Portwood traveling on the roadway, causing drivers to dodge his wheelchair.
"He still travels in the roads where there are sidewalks," Shelton said.
She said Portwood will then complain about the condition of the sidewalks, claiming they are in too bad of shape for him to operate his wheelchair on them.
Moss said his office also receives complaints about Portwood traveling in the roadways.
Portwood could not be reached for comment.
Portwood pleaded not guilty Monday in Garrard District Court. A pretrial conference is set for Jan. 17.
http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=37023&format=html
LANCASTER - Lancaster police say they had no choice but to cite a local resident for reckless driving in an electric wheelchair earlier this month.
Chief Ron Lamb said Ohmer Portwood has been warned on several occasions but continues to operate his wheelchair in a dangerous fashion.
Portwood, 69, of 85 Cardinal Circle, was cited Dec. 4. According to police, Portwood was driving northbound in the southbound lane on U.S. 27 in such a way that created a back-up in the traffic flow.
However, the county attorney said the charge will be amended at the pre-trial conference next month.
"I got the charge wrong," Jeff Moss said. "Mr. Portwood was stopped by an officer who called me." Moss said after some quick research, he advised the officer to charge Portwood with reckless driving.
"Later research revealed that Mr. Portwood would be considered a pedestrian as opposed to a driver," Moss said.
Lamb said he understands Portwood's complaints about the fact there is no sidewalk on Cardinal Circle where Portwood lives.
"But we've told him several times that he has to stay out of the main roads like that," Lamb said.
Assistant Chief Wanda Shelton said it is not uncommon to answer multiple complaints in a week about Portwood traveling on the roadway, causing drivers to dodge his wheelchair.
"He still travels in the roads where there are sidewalks," Shelton said.
She said Portwood will then complain about the condition of the sidewalks, claiming they are in too bad of shape for him to operate his wheelchair on them.
Moss said his office also receives complaints about Portwood traveling in the roadways.
Portwood could not be reached for comment.
Portwood pleaded not guilty Monday in Garrard District Court. A pretrial conference is set for Jan. 17.