BEDFORD – On July 11, 2024, a traffic stop in Lawrence County led to the arrest of David S. Morris, 30, of Mitchell, Indiana, on charges related to operating a vehicle while under the influence of marijuana. The incident occurred after Morris was observed violating traffic laws at the intersection of State Road 37 and State Road 158.
Lawrence County Police Officer Andrew Tillett initiated the stop when Morris, driving a black 2004 Pontiac, turned left across the intersection while the light was red. Upon approaching the vehicle, Officer Tillett detected the smell of marijuana and, after Morris exited the vehicle, conducted a search.
The search revealed two rolled cigarettes containing marijuana beneath the center console and a mason jar containing marijuana on the passenger floorboard. Morris was then asked to undergo standardized field sobriety tests, to which he consented.
Morris showed signs of impairment during the testing, including difficulty following instructions and maintaining balance during the walk-and-turn and one-leg stand tests. A subsequent oral fluid test at the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the presence of marijuana. Morris also agreed to a blood draw at IU Health Bedford, where his blood tested positive for THC.
Officer Brenten Trueblood and Officer Andrew Tillett assisted in the investigation. Morris was later released to a family member, and his vehicle was retrieved from the scene.
The toxicology report, received on January 17, 2025, confirmed the presence of THC and its metabolites in Morris’s system, providing further evidence for the charges. Morris was given a written warning for disregarding a traffic control signal but faces misdemeanor charges for operating a vehicle with a Schedule I or II controlled substance.
The information was forwarded to the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was detained on February 13, 2025.
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.
