Norwalk man facing OVI, drug charges

A 30-year-old Norwalk man is facing charges in Elyria following an Aug. 5 traffic stop in which fentanyl and a plethora of drug paraphernalia was located inside a vehicle, according to a police report.

At 10:47 p.m., Elyria officers initiated the stop near the intersection of state Route 57 and East Broad Street in response to a report of a possible intoxicated driver.

Upon approaching the vehicle, officers encountered the driver who appeared lethargic with slightly “slurred” speech, according to the report.

The driver told officers, “I know I was driving like (expletive), I’m sorry,” the report said.

The suspect failed field sobriety tests and admitted to using fentanyl about an hour before the traffic stop, according to the report.

Officers found three hypodermic syringes under his shirt, including one used syringe, and more than 40 additional unused syringes and two metal spoons spread throughout the vehicle, the report said.

The man is charged with four single misdemeanor counts of OVI, and single counts of possession of a schedule II controlled substance, possession of drug abuse instruments and driving marked lanes.

According to the report, the suspect has three prior OVIs in the past 10 years.