Wrong-way, drunken driver on I-75 gets jail

6/4/2013

BOWLING GREEN – A Weston, Ohio man who was intoxicated when he drove the wrong way on I-75 and struck a semi last month was sentenced Friday to 90 days in jail.

Les C. Lundquest, 29, pleaded guilty in Bowling Green Municipal Court to operating a vehicle while intoxicated, divided roadways, and two probation violations. He was driving south in the northbound lanes of I-75 two miles south of Bowling Green May 12 when his pickup collided with a northbound tractor-trailer driven by James H. Mechem, 57, of Columbus. Mr. Mechem was treated for minor injuries, while Lundquest was more seriously hurt.

Judge Mark Reddin ordered Lundquest to be at home on electronic monitoring for 60 days after serving his jail sentence followed by 60 days with an alcohol monitor.

The judge suspended Lundquest’s driver’s license through Aug. 12 then gave him driving privileges for work and alcohol treatment from Aug. 13 until May, 2016. He must use restricted license plates and have an ignition interlock system on his vehicle to prevent him from driving if he has been drinking. Lundquest also was ordered to pay $1,150 in fines as well as court costs.