The Ohio State Highway Patrol has announced the successful execution of an OVI (Operating a Vehicle Impaired) checkpoint on August 15, 2025, on State Route 13 in Mount Vernon.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the checkpoint was conducted by the Mount Gilead Post in collaboration with the Mount Vernon Police Department, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ohio Department of Transportation. The operation took place from 8:03 P.M. to 9:37 P.M., during which time officers checked 328 vehicles without diverting any vehicles.
The checkpoint was funded by federal grants to deter and intercept impaired drivers and to raise public awareness about impaired driving. Local, county, and state law enforcement also deployed saturation patrols in the surrounding areas to address alcohol- and drug-related fatal and severe injury crashes, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
"The accomplishments of the checkpoints are a direct reflection of the level of commitment and cooperation between our agencies to keep the roadways of Knox County safe," said Lieutenant Holloway, Commander of the Mount Gilead Post. He added, "If you are going to drink, designate a driver or make other transportation arrangements to avoid a senseless tragedy. The life you save could be yours or someone else’s loved one."
The Ohio State Highway Patrol, part of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, delivers statewide public safety services including traffic enforcement, emergency response, criminal investigations on state property, and protection for state officials. Headquartered in Columbus and divided into nine districts, the Patrol includes about 1,600 troopers, 1,000 support staff, and an auxiliary volunteer unit. Officers serve in specialized roles such as drug interdiction, crash reconstruction, and special response teams. Programs include safety education, multi-state collaborations, officer wellness support, youth training, commercial vehicle safety, and sobriety checkpoints, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
