BEDFORD – A Bedford man was arrested on Friday, April 11th, after allegedly being caught driving while intoxicated and endangering others.
According to a Probable Cause Affidavit filed by Lawrence County Police Officer Andrew D. Tillett, Billy J. Mitchell, 42, faces a Class A misdemeanor charge of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and OWI endangerment.
The incident occurred while Officer Tillett was off-duty in his marked patrol vehicle traveling east on John Williams Boulevard near U Street. Officer Tillett stated in the affidavit that he observed a blue 2005 Chevy Tahoe traveling west in the left lane and crossing over the center line into his travel lane. To avoid a potential collision, Officer Tillett swerved. He then observed the Tahoe swerve back into the westbound left lane, only to cross the center line again into the eastbound lane as Officer Tillett made a U-turn to initiate a traffic stop.
Officer Tillett initiated a traffic stop on John Williams Boulevard near Beech Street. The Tahoe driver allegedly failed to pull over to the right side of the roadway immediately, continuing until turning left into the driveway in the 1000 block of Limestone Drive.
Upon approaching the vehicle, Officer Tillett contacted the driver, Billy J. Mitchell. Officer Tillett informed Mitchell of the reason for the stop and requested his driver’s license. Mitchell reportedly stated he swerved the first time due to an object in the roadway, though Officer Tillett noted he did not observe any such object. Mitchell also allegedly said he did not realize he went left of center the second time. Mitchell initially handed Officer Tillett a bank card instead of his driver’s license, and Officer Tillett observed that Mitchell’s speech was slurred and his eyes were bloodshot, glassy, and watering. Mitchell reportedly denied consuming any alcoholic beverages or taking any medications that day.
Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Davis Miller arrived to assist. After receiving Mitchell’s consent, Officer Tillett administered standardized field sobriety tests. Before the tests, Officer Tillett noted that Mitchell appeared to have urinated in his pants. Mitchell also mentioned a previous ankle injury but did not appear to have issues with it while walking approximately 680 feet, including an uphill portion, to a flat testing surface. Mitchell failed the sobriety tests.
A portable breath test administered by Officer Tillett registered positive for the presence of alcohol, and Officer Tillett noted the odor of an alcoholic beverage on Mitchell’s breath. Mitchell agreed to a chemical test after being read Indiana’s OWI Implied Consent law. An oral fluid test using a department Sotoxa machine reportedly showed positive results for CNS stimulants (cocaine and amphetamine/ecstasy) and marijuana.
Mitchell was detained and transported to IU Health Bedford Hospital for a blood draw.
Before it was towed, a vehicle inventory of the Tahoe allegedly revealed a half-empty container of Dark Eyes Vodka in the floorboard behind the driver’s seat.
Mitchell was subsequently transported to the Lawrence County Jail without incident.
A Probable Cause Affidavit outlines the initial findings and allegations that led to an arrest. Criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
