Chillicothe Man Accused of Hit-and-Run With Two Children in Car, Admits to Drinking and Smoking Marijuana, Police Say

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CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A Chillicothe man was arrested on multiple charges after police say he fled the scene of a crash, drove while impaired, and had two juveniles in the back seat of his vehicle.

According to a Chillicothe Police Department report, officers responded to the area of North Hickory Street on October 12, 2026, at approximately 5:37 p.m. following reports of a disorderly incident and a hit-and-run crash.

Police were informed that a black Chevrolet Impala had reportedly struck another vehicle in an alleyway before leaving the scene. The damaged vehicle, a blue Hyundai, was located by officers, who spoke with its occupants and reviewed surveillance footage from a nearby residence.

According to the report, the surveillance footage showed the Chevrolet Impala reversing at a high rate of speed into the Hyundai before accelerating away.

Officer Lance Canterbury later located a black Chevrolet Impala traveling from Bruce Street onto Ewing Street. The vehicle reportedly accelerated as the officer approached, but Canterbury was able to confirm that it had rear-end damage consistent with the reported crash.

The vehicle was eventually stopped in the 300 block of East Fifth Street.

Police identified the driver as Robert Gravely Jr., who was accompanied by a female passenger and two juveniles in the back seat.

According to officers, Gravely appeared highly agitated during the investigation and repeatedly stated that he was going to jail.

Officer Nate Crabtree reported observing several indicators of possible impairment, including glossy, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, difficulty maintaining balance, and difficulty following instructions.

When questioned about alcohol and drug use, Gravely initially denied consuming anything that day. However, police say he later admitted to drinking beer and smoking marijuana, indicating that his last use had occurred approximately an hour earlier or less.

According to the report, Gravely agreed to participate in standardized field sobriety testing but demonstrated difficulty following instructions and maintaining his balance.

Police subsequently placed Gravely under arrest for operating a vehicle under the influence and child endangering due to the two juveniles inside the vehicle.

The report further states that Gravely became irate while officers read him the required BMV 2255 form, yelling and knocking a binder from an officer’s hand.

Gravely was transported to the Ross County Jail, where officers attempted to obtain a urine sample. According to the report, Gravely was unable to provide a sample within the required time, and the test was documented as a refusal.

Police issued a citation for operating a vehicle under the influence, driving under suspension, and hit-skip. The report also documents two counts of child endangering.

Gravely was scheduled to appear in Chillicothe Municipal Court on October 13, 2026, at 9 a.m.

All charges are allegations, and Gravely is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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