A domestic dispute between two women turned physical while they were driving eastbound on U.S. 422 in Solon early on Oct. 29, and the fight ended with their vehicle running off the road and crashing into trees. Police arrested both women, one on OVI-related charges and the other on domestic violence and criminal endangering counts. After Cole was arrested and taken to jail, she told officers two young children had been left home alone during the chaos.
Fight Behind the Wheel Sends Car Into Trees
According to Cleveland 19 News, the crash was reported to Solon police at 2:41 a.m. on Oct. 29, after a vehicle traveling eastbound on U.S. 422 ran off the roadway and struck trees. Officers determined that a domestic dispute between the two women in the car had turned physical while the vehicle was moving, according to the outlet.
The driver was identified as 28-year-old Mya Stanton of Twinsburg. Stanton told officers that her live-in girlfriend, Santia Cole, struck her in the mouth and then grabbed and pulled the steering wheel as Stanton tried to pull the car over, causing the vehicle to leave the road, the station reported. Stanton had visible facial injuries when officers arrived at the scene.
Driver Charged With OVI After Breath Test
Police said an officer administered field sobriety tests and determined Stanton was under the influence. She registered 0.116% on a breath alcohol test, per the same account. Stanton was arrested and taken to Solon jail, where she was charged with OVI, prohibited BAC, driving under suspension and open container.
Ohio law treats an arrest for operating a vehicle with a prohibited alcohol concentration the same as an arrest for operating under the influence for purposes of the state's implied-consent rules, according to Ohio Revised Code. Under a related statute, any bodily substance withdrawn in connection with such a case must be analyzed using methods approved by the state health director by someone holding a valid permit, per Ohio Revised Code.
Girlfriend Faces Domestic Violence, Endangering Charges
Cole, described as Stanton's live-in girlfriend, was also arrested and taken to Solon jail. She was charged with domestic violence, criminal endangering and open container, the station's report said.
Cole told officers that her two children, both under age 10, had been left home without adult supervision while the women were out driving. Solon officers sent Twinsburg police to check on the children, and Cole's mother went to the home to care for them, according to the report.
