BEDFORD – A Bedford man was arrested on Friday, December 23, at 3:15 a.m. when Bedford Police officers were called to the area of 22nd and P street after a report of an accident where the driver fled the scene.
When police arrived they were told the driver of a dark-colored S-10 had struck a vehicle and continued traveling south on P Street toward 23rd Street.
While investigating the accident, police were informed by dispatch that 34-year-old Mason Bailey, of Bedford, had called reporting he had slid on the ice-covered road striking a white Accord on P Street.
An officer stayed on the scene to speak to the owner of the Accord while another officer went to speak to Bailey. The officer at the scene also found a speed limit sign had also been struck and run over.
The other officers responded to 1515 23rd Street to meet with Bailey.
Bailey told the officer he had started drinking and was reaching for his cigarettes when his vehicle lost traction and struck a vehicle. Bailey’s truck was found parked in the garage.
Police say Bailey was intoxicated and attempted to hand his debit card to the officer instead of his driver’s license.
Bailey then told the officer after striking the vehicle he returned home and “chugged a thing of vodka”.
Bailey told the officer he had a buddy driving the vehicle and the buddy had taken off. He refused to tell the officer who his buddy was.
After securing a search warrant, Bailey was transported to IU Health Hospital for a blood draw. Those results are pending. Bailey was arrested on charges of false reporting or informing, operating a vehicle while intoxicated, OWI endangerment, and leaving the scene of an accident.
