No OVI Arrests During New Philadelphia Checkpoint
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (Aug. 18, 2026) – The State Highway Patrol says Saturday night’s OVI checkpoint on the east end of New Philadelphia went smoothly — and produced no impaired-driving arrests.
New Philadelphia Post Commander Lt. Bryan Sponaugle says the checkpoint was held from 9 to 11 p.m. on East High Avenue, near the patrol’s post.
He says 254 vehicles passed through the checkpoint, with troopers checking traffic in both directions. No drivers who went through the checkpoint were cited, and no OVI arrests were made.
Troopers and deputies working outside the checkpoint did issue four seat belt citations, cited one driver for operating without a valid license, and gave several warnings for other violations.
Sponaugle says the average stop for a vehicle within the checkpoint is 20 to 30 seconds.
He credited ODOT District 11 for assisting with lighting and traffic control. He said the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office provided additional patrols in the surrounding area.
Sponaugle says the checkpoint served its purpose of deterring drinking and driving.