Orleans woman arrested on OWI charges

BEDFORD – An Orleans woman was arrested on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated after she crashed her vehicle on November 8, 2022.

On November 8, 2022, at approximately 6:53 p.m., the Lawrence County Central Dispatch received a  call for service in reference to a personal injury accident located at 8259 US 50 East. 

When Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department deputies arrived they found a white passenger vehicle in the eastbound lane of travel facing east and saw 35-year-old Oleta Rudolph, of Orleans, in the driver seat holding a bandage to her arm.  

Oleta Rudolph

Rudolph told police she was traveling west on US 50 East when a deer crossed the roadway in front of her vehicle. She told police, she attempted to swerve to avoid hitting the deer and lost control of the vehicle, striking the guardrail.  

Police say while speaking with Rudolph they could smell an alcoholic beverage emitting from the vehicle. 

Rudolph admitted she had two beers within the last hour. 

Rudolph complained of neck pain and requested to be transported to the hospital. She did agree to take a blood test at the hospital.

Rudolph was then taken by ambulance to IU Bedford Hospital for medical evaluation in reference to injuries sustained from the accident. 

On February 23, 2023, police received the toxicology report for Oleta Rudolph. The results confirmed Rudolph was intoxicated. The information was forwarded to the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s office and a warrant was issued for Rudolph’s arrest.