AUSTINTOWN, Ohio - A bench warrant has been issued for a driver charged with OVI after he failed to appear in court Wednesday morning.

21 News crews were in court for a hearing for 49-year-old Nicholas Cavucci, who was charged with OVI after an incident in Austintown Monday night when a car crashed into a home on S. Wickliffe Circle causing several in the neighborhood to lose power.

However, Cavucci never showed up. A family member told 21 News he did not appear in court because he was still in the hospital as a result of the crash. Court employees tell 21 News the warrant will still be active regardless.

Once out of the hospital, Cavucci would need to call the court to schedule his next appearance and bring proof that he was indeed still in the hospital during his previously scheduled court date.

21 News has learned that Cavucci has a history of OVI offenses, with court records showing at least two convictions. He currently has a suspended license as a result of one of these convictions in 2021.

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