Release: Trooper crashes cruiser, charged with OVI

An Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper was arrested for operating a vehicle impaired on Saturday in Huron County. Tashawna M. Berry, 37, of the 3100 block of Hartland Center Road, Collins, is facing two misdemeanor charges, operating a vehicle under the influence and driving while texting, and one felony of improper handling of firearms in a motor vehicle. Just after 7 p.m., Berry was traveling northwest on Ohio 601 near milepost 2 in Huron County, according to an email from Lt. Nathan Dennis, operations coordinator at the patrol's field operations office in Columbus. The marked patrol car went off-road to the right, struck a utility pole and then a tree. It was determined that Berry was impaired at the time of the crash, Dennis said. "Berry's actions do not reflect the values of our agency," Dennis said. Berry was removed from duty and is now on unpaid administrative leave. "This case remains under investigation, and the patrol is fully cooperating with the Huron County Prosecutor's Office," Dennis said. As of late Tuesday, only the improper handling of firearms in a motor vehicle charge was filed, according to Norwalk Municipal Court records. There is no record of a plea and her next hearing date is not listed.