Man facing OWI charges after being stopped for expired license plate

BEDFORD – A Bedford man was arrested on Saturday, March 29, on alcohol charges after being stopped for an expired license plate.

Samuel Crulo, 25, of Bedford, is facing charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, OWI endangerment, and OWI with a blood alcohol content exceeding 0.15.  

According to an affidavit for probable cause filed by Officer Taylor Daugherty of the Bedford Police Department, the arrest stemmed from a traffic stop initiated after Crulo was observed driving a gold 1993 Jeep Cherokee with expired registration.

After observing the vehicle traveling northbound on L Street, Officer Daugherty initiated the stop at 8th and T Streets. Upon speaking with Crulo, Officer Daugherty detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the vehicle. Crulo admitted to consuming two beers shortly before the stop.

During the subsequent investigation, Crulo consented to standardized field sobriety tests. Crulo displayed signs of impairment.

A preliminary breath test revealed a blood alcohol content of 0.159. After being advised of his Miranda rights, Crulo consented to a certified chemical breath test administered at the Bedford Police Department. This test yielded a result of 0.161.

During the investigation, an open whiskey bottle was found in Crulo’s vehicle. Crulo claimed the bottle was six months old.

Crulo was arrested and transported to the Lawrence County Jail. At the scene, his vehicle was released to a family member.  

Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.