BEDFORD– A Bedford man was arrested after reports of an erratic driver.
Bedford Police officers arrested 52-year-old James Mathis on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, OWI endangerment, driving while his driver’s license was suspended, and possession of marijuana.
The traffic stop occurred around 11:12 p.m. on November 6, when Bedford Police received reports of a black Ford Fusion driving erratically southbound on State Road 37. Officers observed the vehicle swerving in and out of its lane before it turned west onto State Road 158. Officers, including Officer Faheem Bade, immediately responded to the scene.
The vehicle continued for about a quarter of a mile before pulling over in front of 9416 State Road 158. Upon making contact with the driver, Mathis, officers detected a strong odor of alcohol and noted his slurred speech and glassy eyes. When asked, Mathis denied consuming alcohol, though his physical condition suggested otherwise. Officers also learned that Mathis was driving with a suspended license and that the vehicle’s registration had expired.
During the stop, Mathis was asked to perform field sobriety tests, which he failed. Following the tests, Mathis consented to a preliminary breath test, which showed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.292%, more than three times the legal limit for driving in Indiana.
Mathis refused to submit to a certified chemical test. In response, officers obtained a search warrant from Judge Robert Cline for a blood draw. He was transported to IU Health Bedford Hospital at 12:43 a.m., on November 7 and then transported to the Lawrence County Jail.
While inventorying the vehicle, officers discovered marijuana in the vehicle’s center console and several empty vodka bottles inside the car.
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.
