An 18-year-old Columbus man was injured when he was struck by an allegedly drunk driver on Claremont Avenue near Smith Road early in the morning on Jan. 22.

According to Ashland City Police reports, Nicholas A. Rhoades was treated and released from Samaritan Hospital, where he was taken by the Ashland Fire Department emergency squad.

According to police, Kathleen E. Hefner, 48, of 1509 Cottage Court, Ashland, was driving northeast on Claremont when she allegedly struck Rhoades. Police said Hefner stopped for a moment, several feet away from Rhoades, before speeding away. It was estimated that Hefner was going 35 mph when she struck Rhoades.

An Ohio Highway Patrol unit found Hefner in a parking lot off of W. Main Street close to Claremont Ave. The unit gave Hefner a breathalyzer test after suspecting that she was under the influence, and her blood alcohol level was .196. Ohio’s legal limit is .08. She was arrested for OVI and hit-and-skip, and is now awaiting court.

Rhoades is a high school senior track and field athlete at Hamilton Township High School in Columbus.

“Nicholas Rhoades was not a track recruit,” Assitant Athletic Director for Media Relations Al King said. “In fact he was not a recruit from any sport. Our understanding is that he was the friend of a current student at AU and visiting him.”