BEDFORD — A 20-year-old man was arrested Sunday after officers found him unresponsive in a parked truck at a local gas station, according to the Bedford Police Department.
The incident occurred on June 15 when an officer in the area of Revere’s Gas Station was flagged down by a concerned citizen. The individual reported a man passed out inside a red truck and believed he may have been overdosing.
The officer located the man, later identified as Stevie A. King, slumped over the center console in the driver’s seat of the vehicle. The truck was not running, and the keys were found in King’s lap. He was reportedly sweating heavily and breathing, but unresponsive to verbal cues. Multiple sternum rubs elicited movement, but King was unable to communicate.
Officer Blackburn arrived shortly thereafter, and the two officers removed King from the vehicle and sat him on the ground, where he began to regain consciousness. Officers noted a strong odor of alcohol on his breath and person and observed a nearly empty bottle of Jim Beam inside the vehicle.
Medical personnel from IU Health arrived on the scene and assisted King, who was described as extremely unsteady on his feet. He refused treatment and denied any drug use. After being evaluated and cleared by ambulance staff, King was detained and escorted to Officer Blackburn’s patrol car.
A preliminary breath test was offered but refused by King, who remained visibly impaired and needed assistance walking. He was transported to IU Health for medical clearance and then to the Lawrence County Jail.
An inventory search of the vehicle led to the discovery of two bottles of alcohol, which were confiscated and disposed of. The vehicle was towed.
King was booked on charges of Public Intoxication and Illegal Consumption of an Alcoholic Beverage.
Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
