DRIVER CRASHES OFF BRIDGE

Elyria – An Elyria man crashed off the Lowell Street Bridge early Tuesday morning and then fled the scene. With the help of some witnesses Police and State Troopers found the man on the railroad tracks by 3M.

State Troopers say 24 year old JohnnyRay Burkhalter of Elyria was traveling on Lowell Street around 2:30 Tuesday morning when he lost control of his 1996 Lincoln Town Car and went off the left side of the road. Burkhalter’s car took out several guardrail posts before coming to rest on the opposite side of the rail. Witnesses told Troopers Burkhalter was bleeding from the head and that he had fled on foot across the bridge.

Elyria Police Officers assisting Troopers went to the 3M Plant while Troopers began searching the wooded area where Burkhalter was last seen running. Burkhalter was found along the tracks and was brought to the 3M parking lot where Elyria Township Firefighters were waiting to treat him for the injuries to his head. Burkhalter was passively resistant throughout the process with Police and had to be strapped down to the cot. He was then transported to Elyria Memorial Hospital for further treatment.

Burkhalter was charged with OVI, Driving under Suspension, Failure to Control, Seatbelt and Possession of Marijuana.


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