Ticketed driver leaves country

LEXINGTON, Neb. — A 22-year-old Lexington man ticketed for driving under the influence in an accident that injured four people has fled from the country. An arrest warrant has been issued for Marvin Francisco Portillo-Ramos in the Oct. 16 accident.

According to officer’s reports, Portillo-Ramos was westbound in a white 1991 Isuzu Rodeo. He was accused of failing to stop at a stop sign and hitting a northbound Chevrolet Impala. The Impala spun in the intersection and went through a chain-link fence along the side of the overpass.

One person in the Impala suffered life-threatening head and facial injuries. He remains on life support.

When police interviewed Portillo-Ramos at the scene, they observed watery, bloodshot eyes and smelled alcohol on his breath. He told officers that he had five beers at the Premier Nightclub and was on his way home when the accident occurred.

Portillo-Ramos’ ticket gave him a court date of Oct. 22, but he failed to appear.

After numerous attempts to locate Portillo-Ramos, officers learned from his girlfriend that he was en route to his home country of Guatemala.