BEDFORD – A Bedford man faces multiple operating while intoxicated charges following a traffic stop on Saturday, December 21.
Derick Irwin, 37, was arrested after Bedford Police observed his 2021 Toyota Prius making an abrupt left turn onto Beech Street without using the designated turn lane at approximately 12:32 a.m.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Officer Taylor Daugherty initiated a traffic stop after witnessing the traffic violation. Upon contact with Irwin, the officer noted several signs of intoxication, including slurred speech, poor manual dexterity, and glassy bloodshot eyes. The officer also reported detecting the odor of alcohol on Irwin’s breath.
During the stop, Irwin allegedly admitted to having “a few” drinks, later specifying he had consumed three drinks at Buffalo Wild Wings in Bloomington approximately twenty minutes before the traffic stop.
After failing multiple field sobriety tests and registering a preliminary breath test result of 0.213 blood alcohol level, more than twice the legal limit, Irwin was taken to IU Health for a blood draw. He was subsequently transported to the Lawrence County Jail.
Irwin faces preliminary charges of operating while intoxicated, OWI endangerment, OWI with a BAC greater than .15, and OWI per se, pending the results of the blood draw.
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.
