A man has been taken into custody following a serious head-on collision in Butler County, where the subsequent investigation by local authorities resulted in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer due to his immigration status. According to FOX19, the accident occurred on Thursday morning along State Route 747 and involved a 2013 Hyundai Elantra and a 2023 Honda Civic.
Yoan Perez Ventula, 27, was identified by officials as the driver of the Elantra. After traveling northbound, for reasons yet unknown, he crossed left of center and collided with the Civic driven by a 28-year-old woman, who was seriously injured and transported to University of Cincinnati West Chester Hospital. Ventula required mechanical extraction from his vehicle, according to Sheriff Richard K. Jones. Deputies discovered open alcohol inside his car, and he exhibited signs of intoxication, per reports by WLWT.
The Butler County Sheriff's Office has charged Ventula with aggravated vehicular assault, obstruction of justice, operating a vehicle while impaired (OVI), having no driver’s license, and traveling left of center. He was taken to the Butler County Jail, and Sheriff Jones has confirmed that an ICE hold has been placed on Ventula.
Investigators, including the Butler County Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team, are looking into the crash. With the driver stationed at UC Medical Center, deputies remained with Ventula until they ascertained his identity, despite him having initially provided a false name and multiple birth dates. "deputies found open containers of alcohol inside his vehicle, along with multiple other indicators of intoxication," Sheriff Jones informed, as quoted by the WCPO.
Authorities are urging the public to come forward with any information that could further assist in the ongoing investigation. Witnesses or anyone with knowledge about the events are encouraged to contact Sgt. Steven Poff at 513-785-1218.
