Available 
Warren, OH (June 8, 2026) – A woman is facing multiple charges, including child endangerment, after the police say she drove drunk with a 5-year-old kid in her vehicle and fled the scene of a crash on Lovers Lane in Warren. The incident was reported just after 1 a.m. on Saturday, June 6.
Officials stopped the vehicle near Coit Avenue NW and Parkman Road NW after receiving a report that it was swerving. The driver, identified as Sydney Winters, had allegedly left the scene of an earlier accident in which her vehicle went off the road and struck a mailbox.
Officers noted that Winters smelled of alcohol, could barely stand, and was unaware of her surroundings. A breath test showed a blood-alcohol content of .253, more than three times the legal limit of .08. The 5-year-old was in the backseat at the time.
Winters is charged with endangering children, operating a vehicle while intoxicated, and failure to stop after an accident. She pleaded not guilty at her arraignment. Court records indicate she is also being held for a possible probation violation tied to a prior case. Detectives are continuing to process the case, and further proceedings are expected as the legal matter moves forward.
We are relieved the child was not physically hurt and hope all those affected receive the support they need.
What Happens When a Driver Is Arrested for OVI With a Child in the Vehicle in Ohio?
In Ohio, operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a minor passenger is treated as a separate and more serious offense than a standard OVI charge. Child endangerment charges can be filed alongside the OVI when a person under 18 is present in the vehicle. The combination of charges typically results in more severe legal consequences than an OVI alone.
A blood-alcohol content of .253 is significantly above Ohio’s legal limit of .08 and well above the threshold considered highly impaired. At that level, a driver’s ability to control a vehicle, perceive hazards, and make basic decisions is severely compromised. Courts and prosecutors usually treat high BAC readings as an aggravating factor when determining how to proceed with a case.
When a driver flees the scene of a crash, an additional charge, failure to stop, is typically added. Ohio law requires all drivers involved in a collision to stop, exchange information, and render aid if needed, regardless of who caused the accident.
