BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — Editor's note: This story has been updated to include the latest information regarding Hall's plea and sentencing. The specifics of Hall's sentence has also been edited to clarify an error.
An 18-year-old Washington Local Schools board member who began his campaign during his senior year of high school was arrested in Bowling Green Friday for allegedly driving drunk.
According to a police report, Brady Hall, 18, was arrested and charged when he failed multiple intoxication tests. Police said they pulled Hall over shortly before 2 a.m. after he failed to yield to oncoming traffic when making a left, turned while pedestrians were still in the crosswalk and struck a curb in a fast food parking lot.
In the report, the officer said they spoke with Hall, who was driving, and two passengers in the vehicle. Police said Hall exhibited multiple signs of intoxication, including slurred speech and losing his balance during the walk and turn test.
The officer then took Hall to the police station where Hall agreed to take a breath test. According to the report, the breath test registered a blood-alcohol content of 0.14%. Hall was charged with driving under the influence and released.
An attempt by WTOL 11 to reach Hall for comment over the weekend was unsuccessful.
Hall pleaded guilty to an OVI charge Wednesday, which was amended to be a violation against Bowling Green's ordinances rather than the Ohio Revised Code. Hall was fined $1,075, which he has paid. Hall was sentenced to 33 days in jail, however the jail sentence was suspended, meaning he will not spend any time behind bars as long as he does not violate parole. Three of the 33 days will be used for a driver intervention program, which Hall must also complete.
Additionally, Hall's license will be suspended for one year. He will be on probation until 2026.
Hall released a statement that he read at a Washington Local School Board meeting on Wednesday:
Sitting on this board is not only an honor, but a privilege that has been awarded and entrusted to me by the Washington Local Community. And just as I do of my elected officials, I know this community holds a very high standard for those who represent them.
With that being said, I made an incredible mistake, and as a board that represents a youth population such as myself, I am ashamed. This morning, I pleaded guilty to Driving Under the Influence in Bowling Green early Friday morning.
I chose not to contest, argue, or plead, because I understood the consequences of my actions before I made my poor decision, just as I understand them now. The past four days have not been easy, but when making a decision to drive under the influence of alcohol, this is minor compared to the potential of what could have happened.
I appreciate and respect the officer who pulled me over, her profession and the law. From this point forward I commit to both this community, and myself, that I will be the exemplary role model I know I am and can be for this district. I will not be resigning my position on the school board. I do believe I was elected to this position for a reason, and that I have so much more important work to do alongside our board.
I owe an apology to my fellow board members, our superintendent and treasurer, our students and staff, and the community that has elected me. I am sorry. I respect and encourage the vote that has taken place to condone my actions, and with God’s guidance, moving forward I can begin the long process to regain the trust of this community.
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to continuing doing what I love: serving this community.
A Washington Local Schools representative gave WTOL 11 the following statement after a request for comment:
"Washington Local Schools was made aware of the arrest, however, as this is a personal legal matter of Mr. Hall, occurring outside the scope of school operations, there is no information we can provide outside of what is public record."
Hall was elected to one of two open seats on the Washington Local school board in November with 27% of the vote. He was sworn in along with Lauren Moore to serve a four-year term on the board, joining incumbents Mark Hughes, Karen Mayfield and Michael Murphy.
He said he was inspired to run for the board of education following a shooting during a Whitmer High School football game in October 2022. Three people were wounded in the shooting, including one of Hall's fellow students.
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