( Batavia, OH ) - The Clearcreek Township Police Department is mourning the loss of one of their own.
Officer Jerrid Lee, 27, was in a head on crash Monday night on State Route 125 near Lindale Mount Holly Road.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol says Justin Watts, 31, was driving eastbound when he crossed the center line and hit Lee in the westbound lane.
Lee was pronounced dead at the scene. Watts declined medical treatment.
Investigators believe drugs played a factor in the crash.
Watts is being held on a million dollar bond at the Clermont County Jail, charged with aggravated vehicular homicide.
Watts has a 10 year criminal record that includes convictions in Clermont, Warren and Hamilton Counties and two years in prison. In October, he was convicted of Aggravated Drug Possession for having fentanyl in Clermont County. Judge Jerry McBride handled that case and placed Watts on probation.