Ashland man faces eighth OWI charge

An Ashland man with several convictions for driving while drunk has been with charged again after being pulled over for operating a vehicle while his license was revoked.

Terry Weaver is facing his eighth OWI charge. The 59-year-old is also charged with operating a motor while his operating privileges were revoked and misdemeanor bail jumping.

If convicted, he faces a maximum of 13 years and nine months imprisonment.

According to the criminal complaint, an Ashland County Sheriff’s deputy was on patrol when he observed a red vehicle northbound on Beaser Avenue in Ashland. While checking the Department of Transportation records, it showed Weaver’s driver’s license status was revoked due to a prior OWI.

The deputy turned on his emergency lights and the vehicle pulled over in the AMC parking lot.

When asked why he was driving without a license, Weaver stated he left work at Subway at 10 p.m. and was headed home to an address on Prentice Avenue. However, his location was inconsistent with heading to the address from Subway. Weaver then told the deputy he was “just driving around.” During the conversation, the deputy observed Weaver was visibly trembling and had glossy, bloodshot eyes.

While speaking further with the defendant, the deputy began to smell intoxicants. After originally saying he had not been drinking, Weaver admitted that he “had one big tap beer” at a bar in Ashland about 15 minutes before being pulled over.

Weaver performed two sobriety tests and failed to complete both. He was then asked to do a breath test, but refused, according to the complaint.

Weaver was subsequently arrested and found to have seven prior OWI convictions and was active on Ashland County bail with a condition of absolute sobriety.

Weaver’s vehicle was searched and numerous beer cans were located behind and under and the front passenger seat. Two of the cans were unopened.

Weaver has a status conference set for Sept. 9.