Driver accused of crashing into city vehicle, fighting witness

Columbus police say a man accused of drunk driving Friday afternoon crashed into a city-owned vehicle and then allegedly bit a passerby who tried to detain him.

The crash happened at 22nd Street and Cottage Avenue at about 12:20  p.m. that afternoon when an SUV struck the city-owned vehicle and then rolled onto its side.

The driver, 24-year-old Tre X. Vires was detained by a witness who Vires allegedly tried to punch and later bit during a struggle before officers arrived.

Officers found a beer bottle near Vires’ vehicle and noted that his breath smelled of alcohol. He was taken to Columbus Regional Hospital to have his blood tested, then arrested and taken to jail on preliminary charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and battery.

Two people in the city owned medical transport vehicle were slightly injured in the crash.