BEDFORD— In the early hours of October 5, the Bedford Police Department arrested Autumn R. McCluskey, 42, on charges of operating while Intoxicated (OWI) and OWI endangerment following a traffic stop that revealed concerning behavior.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed by Officer Nicholas Crulo, the incident unfolded around 12:03 a.m. near the intersection of 16th and L Streets. Officer Crulo observed a blue Dodge Dakota, later identified as being driven by McCluskey, exhibiting unusual behavior at a traffic light.
The affidavit states that after an extended pause at a green light, the vehicle made an abrupt left turn without signaling, prompting Officer Crulo to initiate a traffic stop.
Upon interaction with McCluskey, Officer Crulo noted several red flags:
- Glassy eyes and erratic facial expressions
- Incoherent responses to simple questions
- Soiled clothing and apparent paint or ink on her arms and face
- Inability to follow instructions for field sobriety tests
- Increasingly erratic and abusive behavior
When asked about her residence, McCluskey reportedly responded that she was living in the “thinkin’ mode” and later clarified as “the future,” stating she was thinking “invisible stuff.”
After being detained and read her Miranda rights, McCluskey was transported to the Bedford Police Department. A search warrant for a blood draw was obtained from Judge Plummer at 12:43 a.m. McCluskey refused an oral fluid test, stating her “trust was in God.”
The search warrant was executed at IU Health Bedford, where two vials of blood were drawn at 1:20 a.m. McCluskey was subsequently transported to Lawrence County Jail.
The investigation is ongoing, and toxicology results are pending.
Local authorities emphasize the importance of safe driving and urge citizens never to operate a vehicle under the influence of substances that could impair judgment or reaction time.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent unless convicted through due legal proceedings. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
