Written By: Ishton W. Morton – November 17th, 2019
Reportedly on Friday, November 8th, 2019 the frustrations of a young mother and baby who were killed in a fiery car crash back in February has continued growing.
Subsequently, 20 year-old Wendy Brewer and her 14-month-old daughter, Ariella, were passengers in a car that driven by 16-year-old Clayton Ramsden the boyfriend of Brewer when he crashed into several cars on State Route 134 at locations on the peripheral of Wilmington, Ohio.
Seemingly Brewer had two other children with him, 4-year-old Kai and 2-year-old Natalie.
According to the children’s grandfather, Matt Jones, “These kids basically, got a life sentence.”
Tina Jones the wife of Matt Jones had this to say; “they thought of Brewer as a daughter.”
She continued to say, “I would give anything for one more hug from either one of them. It’s not fair.”
Although Tina and Matt Jones thoughts were well intended, it must be make perfectly clear that there are often tragic consequences and harsh legal penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol are well publicized. What many people don’t realize is that it is also illegal and punishable in all 50 states to drive under the influence of marijuana (or a combination of alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs).
According to Prosecutors, Ramsden was driving under the influence of marijuana. The case was bound over to adult court and Ramsden was indicted on 10 counts, including four counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, two counts of aggravated vehicular assault, two counts of endangering children, trafficking in marijuana and possession of marijuana.
Subsequently, in June 20th, 2018 The State of Ohio establishes the so-called a “per se limit” law for the amount of alcohol or illegal drugs that can be present in a driver’s blood stream before the individual is considered legally impaired.
In states with so-called “per se” DUI laws, drivers with a certain amount of marijuana in their system are considered under the influence. States that have per se marijuana DUI laws generally specify a THC (the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana) limit.
Also, there are states that prohibit driving with any measurable amount of marijuana in the blood or urine. Drivers who are at or above the legal THC limit whether it’s a concentration or any measurable amount—can be convicted of a DUI.
Albeit to those states that don’t have per se marijuana laws; in those states, prosecutors must always establish that the driver was behaving in a way that showed that he or she was under the influence of marijuana at the time of the arrest regardless of marijuana blood or urine concentration levels. Prosecutors can do this by showing that the driver had impaired balance or speech, or that he was driving erratically even that he smelled of marijuana.
Experts in the medical arena marijuana has suggested metabolites compounds left over in the body when the body metabolizes or processes marijuana and can remain in a person’s body for days, weeks, or well after marijuana is used.
Ironically, while metabolites indicate that the person ingested marijuana at some point in the past, they do not indicate how long ago, or necessarily point to current impairment. Even so, state per se laws that include metabolites accept their presence as conclusive evidence of impairment for the purposes of a DUI charge.
Matt and Tina Jones said the last nine months have been extremely difficult. After the initial shock of Brewer’s and Ariella’s deaths, they learned how the two had died.
According to Tina Jones, “Wendy died of blunt force trauma, but Ariella only suffered a broken leg. She died of thermal injuries, which means she was burnt to death. I just can’t imagine how scared she was in that car. I hate it.”
Meanwhile, Matt Jones had this to say; “If I had put myself in the situation like that, that he’s in now, I don’t think I could ever get behind the wheel of a car again.”
However, according to the Joneses and Clinton County prosecutors, Ramsden has gotten behind the staring wheels of vehicles several times without a valid driver’s license.
Ultimately, the Joneses and Clinton County prosecutors is destine to apply all possible criminal charges to a lawbreaker; to impose the maximum possible punishment or jail sentence against a convicted criminal.
Apparently, the disciplinary term threw the book at him is extremely obvious. Their every intent is focused on punish or reprimand Ramsden as severely as possible.
Recently, prosecutors said he was driving last week while out on bond. In addition to that Joneses said they were tipped off to where Ramsden was and called investigators.
Moreover, prosecutors said he fled, but investigators caught up to him and arrested him. He’s now in a juvenile detention center.
Pursuant to Ramsden actions, prosecutors said they moved to revoke his bond. Also, the Joneses said, they have seen Ramsden behind the wheel again has intensified their pain and sadness.
Furthermore, Tina Jones said, “He should be paying for what he did. He is exactly the same as a drunk driver. He should have to pay for the lives he took and not be driving.”
Meanwhile, Ramsden is scheduled to be back in court on Wednesday, November 20th, 2019.
