BEDFORD – A Bedford man was arrested late Friday night on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated after a routine traffic stop revealed signs of impairment, according to Bedford Police Department records.
Jeffery Arthur, 54, of Bedford, was taken into custody shortly before midnight on Friday, January 17, after being pulled over near 17th and J Streets for a non-functioning license plate light on his white Cadillac Escalade.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed by Officer Taylor Daugherty, during the initial contact, Arthur displayed signs of possible intoxication, including glossy bloodshot eyes, and officers detected the odor of alcoholic beverages.
Arthur agreed to perform standardized field sobriety tests but had difficulty maintaining his balance and following instructions.
A preliminary breath test administered at the scene indicated a blood alcohol content of 0.115%, above Indiana’s legal limit of 0.08%. When questioned, Arthur allegedly told officers he had consumed two beers earlier in the evening.
After being unable to provide sufficient samples for a certified breath test at the Bedford Police Department, Arthur consented to a blood draw conducted at IU Health Bedford Hospital at 1:08 a.m. on Saturday, January 18.
Arthur faces preliminary charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI), OWI endangerment, and OWI per se, pending the results of the blood analysis. He was transported to the Lawrence County Jail following the blood draw.
A passenger in the vehicle was released at the scene and arranged alternative transportation.
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.
