BEDFORD — A Bedford man was arrested on November 22, 2024, on multiple charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and OWI endangerment following a traffic stop that revealed his blood alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit.
Reno T. Bates, 53, was apprehended after Bedford Police Officer Sarah Haluda observed erratic driving while patrolling the area of John Williams and R Street around 6:00 p.m. Officer Haluda followed Bates’ Chevrolet truck as it swerved repeatedly across lane markers, first into oncoming traffic and then into a right turn lane, without signaling or any apparent reason for the lane changes.
Bates continued into the Walmart Plaza, where he made multiple turns before stopping in the middle of the parking lot, blocking a travel lane despite open parking spots nearby. Officer Haluda approached Bates’ vehicle and noted that Bates seemed confused and disoriented. When asked about the erratic driving, Bates explained that he had been talking to his sister on the phone but could not clarify how that could have contributed to his poor driving.
Bates denied having consumed alcohol or drugs but appeared visibly impaired with glassy eyes. His explanation for stopping in the lane of travel — stating he did so because the officer was behind him — also raised further suspicion. Bates agreed to perform standardized field sobriety tests, but as soon as the tests began, his actions confirmed the officer’s suspicions of intoxication.
Bates admitted to drinking vodka about 90 minutes before the stop. He was offered a portable breath test but declined to continue with the field sobriety test, claiming he would not perform well. Bates later provided a breath sample with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.168 percent — more than twice the legal limit of 0.08.
Bates’ wife arrived at the scene as police were preparing to arrest him, and Bates confirmed to her that he was going to jail. He agreed to release his vehicle to her. He consented to a breath test at the Bedford Police Department, where he provided a sample with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.162 percent.
Bates was subsequently transported to the Lawrence County Jail,
Authorities are urging drivers to avoid operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs and reminding the public that penalties for OWI offenses can result in significant fines, license suspension, and imprisonment.
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.
Bates is currently awaiting further legal proceedings
