BEDFORD – An Alabama man was arrested Sunday, May 7, after a Bedford Police officer responded to a report of an erratic driver in a white Dodge Charger traveling south on State Road 37 from Washboard Road.
While en route to that area, the officer spotted a white Dodge Challenger traveling south on State Road 37 passing the 16th Street intersection.
The officer turned around and caught up with the vehicle. The vehicle made a U-turn at the intersection of Patrick Robbins Way and traveled north on State Road 37.
The officer caught up to the vehicle at the red light on 16th Street. When the light turned green the driver made a right turn crossing over the eastbound turn lane rather than using the designated turn lane.
The vehicle had an expired license plate. The officer initiated a traffic stop. The vehicle stopped on Becky Skillman Way.
The driver 22-year-old Psalms Barnett, of Rainbow City, AL., was intoxicated, and had glassy eyes, and slurred speech. He told the officer he had not been drinking and was headed to the Mark III Motel where he was staying.
Barnett failed several field sobriety tests. He refused to submit to a portable breath test. A warrant was requested for a blood draw. Barnett was then transported to IU Health Bedford Hospital and his vehicle was towed by Mikels Towing and Recovery LLC. In the vehicle police located two open and several empty beer cans.
Barnett was arrested on charges of operating a vehicle intoxicated, and OWI endangerment.
