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Vallonia Man Arrested After Crashing Into Casey's General Store Sign

Last updated on Tuesday, November 10, 2015

(SALEM) - A Vallonia man was arrested after he plowed his car into the lighted sign at Casey’s General Store at the corner of State Road 60 and Tarr Avenue Friday evening in Salem.

Police arrested 26-year-old Woodrow "Buddy" Cheatham III on charges of reckless driving, operating a vehicle with a Schedule I or II narcotic and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to a Salem Police report, Cheatham was traveling west in a 1985 Pontiac on State Road 56 when he crossed the centerline and traveled about 150 feet in the wrong direction and then swerved into the sign at Casey's General Store. The vehicle came to a stop near Baird Mobile Home in the westbound lane.

According to a witness at the scene, Cheatham "looked dazed" and was "staring out into space".

Police say the sign was demolished with pieces of brick scattered all over the roadway.

18-year-old Briana Prewitt, a passenger in vehicle, told police they didn't know what happened and that they didn't remember hitting the sign.

Police say Cheatham's eyes were dilated and glassy and his speech was slurred.

Cheatham complained of body pain and as he was taken to a Washington County EMS ambulance a glass smoking pipe fell from his pocket. Cheatham was taken to St. Vincent Salem Hospital where he tested positive for Benzodiazepines, a psychoactive drug. Cheatham would not admit to taking the drug, but did tell police he had been smoking Spice prior to the accident.

After being treated at the hospital, Cheatham was arrested and taken to the Washington County Detention Center.

Traffic was backed up for about 30 minutes while crews cleaned-up the wreckage.

Salem Fire Department assisted at the scene.

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