BEDFORD – A Medora woman was arrested after an incident on April 16, 2022. On that day Lawrence County Central Dispatch received a call about an injury accident in the area of the 9000 block of Tunnelton Road.
Upon arrival, the Shawswick Volunteer Fire Department was on the scene. Police spoke to Lydia Gorbett, of Medora, who was sitting in her black 2019 GMC Terrain SUV. Captain Blackburn assisted the driver of the Chevy Equinox on the South East side of the roadway, Christy Murphy.
Lydia Gorbett’s vehicle was resting on the North West side of the roadway, facing southeast, and had
damage to the front driver’s side of the vehicle. The officer reported Gorbett was intoxicated.
Medics on the scene reported that Gorbett was not trapped but could not get out of the vehicle on her
own. Gorbett complained her back hurt and she had an open wound on her forearm and forehead. She was transported by ambulance to Dunn Hospital for treatment.
Gorbett did admit she had been drinking. In her vehicle, police found an open box of wine.
Police spoke to the second driver, Christy Murphy, who told police she too had taken a shot of alcohol at around 5 p.m. She told police she was traveling west when Gorbett’s vehicle crossed left of center into her path of travel. Murphy told police she attempted to avoid the head-on collision by going off the roadway. Murphy’s vehicle was struck on the driver’s side door.
Murphy suffered an abrasion on her wrist and complained of chest pain. She was transported to IU Health Hospital for treatment.
Gear Works Wreckers Service towed both vehicles.
Both women submitted to blood-alcohol tests. On August 14, 2022, police received those test results.
Lydia Gorbett’s blood test result was .180g/100ml of blood, over the legal limit of .08g/100ml. Christy
Murphy’s blood test result was .05g/100ml of blood, under the legal limit of .08g/100ml.
The information was forwarded to the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office and a warrant was issued for Gorbett’s arrest on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and OWI endangerment.
