BEDFORD – A Bedford man faces multiple charges, including two counts of felony operating while intoxicated, causing injury, following a head-on collision Sunday evening that sent two teenagers to the hospital.
James A. Page, 53, was arrested after the crash that occurred around 5:20 p.m. on Old State Road 37 near Crest Motel Road, according to the Lawrence County Police Department.
Two teenagers in a black Ford Mustang were seriously injured in the collision. The driver, Hunter Chambers, 18, suffered a compound fracture to his ankle and multiple injuries, requiring him to be flown by Ascension Air Ambulance to Methodist Hospital. His passenger, Dylan Hall, 18, sustained a head injury resulting in memory loss of the incident, along with facial lacerations and ankle injuries. Hall was transported by ambulance to IU Health Bloomington.
According to police reports, officers detected signs of intoxication when speaking with Page at the scene. A certified breath test later showed Page had a blood alcohol content of 0.138%, police said. Page allegedly admitted to drinking approximately five beers while watching football earlier that day.
Page faces Level 5 felony charges of operating while intoxicated causing injury and a Class C misdemeanor charge of operating with a blood alcohol content over 0.08%. He was taken to IU Health for medical clearance before being transported to the Lawrence County Jail.
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.
