A Gerald man was arrested Nov. 28 in Owensville and issued city court summonses alleging driving under the influence of prescription medication following a t-bone crash on Highway 28 at Eldorado Drive.

According to Owensville City Marshal Robert Rickerd, Brian D. Rehmert, 56, was cited for careless and imprudent driving and DWI (drugs) following a crash reported at  10:11 a.m. last Wednesday.

Rehmert was driving a 1999 Chrysler west on Highway 28 when he struck a 2000 GMC Denali driven by Leslie C. Cronin, 32, of Bland. Witnesses told police Cronin was northbound crossing Highway 28 from Eldorado Drive with the traffic light in her favor when Rehmert struck her vehicle. Cronin’s vehicle ended up on its roof. Rehmert’s car came to a stop in the turn lane used by motorists turning west onto Highway 28 from Highway 19.

Rehmert claimed he had a green light but witnesses told police that Cronin had the green light and was travelling through the intersection when she was struck.

Rickerd said a former city patrolman, Anthony Cardoza, who now works for Union police, had recently completing training as a drug recognition expert. Cardoza along with Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper Evan Hane conducted a series of field sobriety tests on Rehmert.

Rickerd said Cardoza issued the following report following the examination: “Upon the completion of the DRE evaluation, I determined that he was impaired on a CNS (central nervous system) depressant and was unable to operate a motor vehicle safely.”

Rickerd said Rehmert had initially refused medical treatment at the scene. When he was placed under arrest he told police he wished to seek treatment. He was released into a friend’s custody to seek his own medical treatment.

Cronin was transported by Owensville Area Ambulance District to an undisclosed hospital for treatment of her injuries. Police said she was out of her vehicle when they arrived. Both drivers were wearing seat belts at the time the crash. Both vehicles received extensive damaged and were towed from the scene by Triple L Towing.

Missouri Department of Transportation personnel helped Owensville firemen remove the extensive field of debris left from the crash and spread a drying material to soak up automotive fluids which leaked onto the highway from both vehicles.