Cleveland man unable to renew drivers license due to a case of mistaken identity

CLEVELAND - Jake S. Williams, 51, emphatically told 5 On Your Side, he is not James Williams, but he said he's been unable to convince authorities at the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Jake Williams said his drivers license renewal remains blocked, because the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation believes he is James Williams, a man who authorities believe has unpaid parking violations. Jake said the Pennsylvania DOT, sent the Ohio BMV a notice to put his license renewal on hold, until he paid the pending fines. 

But Jake told 5 On Your Side Troubleshooter Joe Pagonkais he has never been in Pennsylvania, and that he has been living with this case of mistaken identity for 20 years.   

"Everytime I clear things up with the State of Ohio, these violations keep popping up," Jake Williams said.

Jake said he now has to take the bus to get to work, and has walked up to 20 miles a week, just to get around.

Troubleshooter Joe Pagonakis first contacted the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and determined confusion over the Pennsylvania traffic violations had finally been cleared up. Jake Williams will now be able to get his drivers license renewed, as soon as he provides proof that he has proper auto insurance coverage. 

5 On Your Side also contacted the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, where authorities believe this case of mistaken identity is because of a bad entry into the "problem driver data base."

A Pennsylvania License Control Division Manager will be contacting Jake S. Williams within the next two days to permanently clear up this identity issue.

5 On Your Side will continue to follow-up on this case.