BEDFORD – A Mitchell woman was detained after an off-duty Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department deputy spotted her driving erratically on September 16, 2023.
Police detained 54-year-old Twila Conley on a warrant charging her with operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a controlled substance and OWI endangerment.
According to a probable cause affidavit, on September 16 at 7:35 p.m., Bedford Police officers responded to State Road 37 and Dixie Highway after a report of an intoxicated driver. Another caller reported the driver was in a maroon Hyundai Santa Fe and was involved in a crash at the interest of Washington Avenue and 29th Street. Off-duty Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Lonnie Johnson was on the scene.
Bedford Police Major Clint Swanson arrived and was told Sgt. Johnson had witnessed the driver of the SVUS nearly strike a vehicle on State Road 37 and US 50. The vehicle then traveled into the grass median and back onto the roadway. Sgt. Johnson continued to follow the driver and reported the erratic driving to the intersection of 29th Street and Washington Avenue, where the driver struck the rear of a Kia Soul that was stopped at the stop sign.
Sgt. Johnson reported the driver of the Hyundai Santa Fe didn’t appear to hit the brakes or attempt to stop the vehicle before striking the gray Kia Soul.
The female driver of the Kia Soul suffered neck and spine injuries and was transported to IU Health Bedford Hospital for treatment.
Conley told police she was diabetic and had not eaten anything. However, police say Conley smelled of alcohol.
Conley also suffered a wound to her arm and was treated at the scene. The ambulance crew said Conley’s blood sugar was fine.
Conley was transported to IU Health Hospital for a blood draw. She was then released from the hospital to a family member.
Conley was advised that her blood work would be sent off to the Indiana State Department of Toxicology and criminal charges would be pending.
On January 1, police received Conley’s toxicology report, and she tested positive for Clonazepam, Oxycodone, Delta-9 Carboxy THC, and Delta-9 THC.
A warrant was issued for Conley’s arrest.
