Solsberry man stopped for OVWI a half-block from home

A Solsberry man said he was just a half-block from home when a deputy pulled him over for allegedly crossing the center line and traveling all over the road.

Christopher Allen Rybolt

Christopher Allen Rybolt, 49, Solsberry, was arrested by Deputy Michael Stanley of the Greene County Sheriff’s Department on Sunday, October 4.

Last Sunday night, October 4, around 8:43 p.m., Deputy Stanley and GCSD Deputy Jordan Allor were at Rosie’s Diner on State Road 43 in eastern Greene County when they saw a black 1999 Dodge Ram with a Kentucky plate allegedly all over the road, crossing the center line several times. Deputy Stanley got behind the truck and initiated a traffic stop at the intersection of SR 43 and North Copper Branch Road.

Christopher Rybolt was the driver who did not have a license but gave the deputy his state ID card. A passenger in the truck also had a state ID card. Their driver’s licenses had both been suspended.

According to Deputy Stanley, Rybolt exhibited multiple signs of intoxication and he had to lean against his truck to keep from stumbling. Rybolt said he was coming from a friend’s house where he had been playing pool and he was only a half-block away from his house when he was stopped.

Deputies said Rybolt failed field sobriety testing. Although a portable breathalyzer showed he had an elevated BAC, he said his BAC would be above average due to a plastic device inserted in his stomach. He refused to take a certified chemical test so a search warrant was obtained and a blood draw was taken at the sheriff’s department after he was transported – results pending.

Rybolt was booked into jail at 11:27 p.m. His bond was set at $8,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed. As of late Thursday, October 8, he had not yet posted bond and was still in jail.

Rybolt is facing preliminary charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person, a Class A misdemeanor, and operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Class C misdemeanor.