OOLITIC– A Bedford woman was arrested early Tuesday morning after allegedly resisting law enforcement and being suspected of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. The incident began with a welfare check at an Oolitic Dollar General.
Camela Ann Emmons, 69, faces charges of resisting law enforcement (by force and by vehicle) and operating while intoxicated.
According to an affidavit for probable cause filed by Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Whitney Daugherty-Anderson, dispatch received a call around 3:55 a.m. on July 1, concerning a female slumped over the steering wheel of a silver Dodge pickup at the Dollar General on Hoosier Avenue in Oolitic.
Upon arrival, Sgt. Daugherty-Anderson observed the Oolitic Fire Marshall exiting the parking lot. At that moment, dispatch advised that the female in the pickup had driven away heading south towards Bedford. Sgt. Daugherty-Anderson located the truck directly in front of the Fire Marshal’s office on Hoosier Avenue and initiated a traffic stop north of the intersection of Hoosier Avenue and 3rd Street, based on the circumstances and information received.
The driver, later identified as Emmons, did not immediately pull over despite the activated emergency lights and siren. Captain H. Fleetwood also responded, eventually getting in front of the pickup to help bring it to a stop south of 5th Street on Hoosier Avenue.
When Sgt. Daugherty-Anderson began to exit her vehicle, the pickup started moving again. Captain Fleetwood again positioned his vehicle in front of Emmons’ truck, bringing it to a second stop.
Sgt. Daugherty-Anderson approached the driver’s side and asked Emmons to turn off the truck. When asked why she didn’t pull over, Emmons claimed the person who checked on her said she was “good to leave,” a claim dispatch later refuted, stating the Fire Marshall never told her she could leave. Emmons also repeatedly stated she was on the phone and not slumped over the wheel. The Fire Marshall, who arrived back on the scene, confirmed he had only spoken to Emmons for about three seconds before she drove off.
Sgt. Daugherty-Anderson noted that Emmons had been off work in Bloomington since 12:30 a.m. but did not know why it took her so long to reach Bedford, stating she had stopped to make a phone call. When asked about drinking, Emmons denied it. However, when asked if there was alcohol in the vehicle, she confirmed there was but refused to disclose its location. Sgt. Daugherty-Anderson stated she could smell alcohol, which Emmons denied.
Emmons refused a medical evaluation by EMS. She also refused to exit her vehicle for field sobriety tests despite being warned of potential charges. After multiple attempts to gain her cooperation, Sgt. Daugherty-Anderson and Captain Fleetwood physically removed Emmons from the truck. During the handcuffing process, Emmons pulled away but was eventually secured.
During a subsequent search of the vehicle, a bottle of Smirnoff was found in the center console, and a glass containing a mix of Coke and Smirnoff was in the cup holder. Officers also found a large bag of mints, which they believe Emmons was using to mask the odor of alcohol.
At IU Health Hospital in Bedford, Emmons initially refused a blood draw. Sgt. Daugherty-Anderson obtained a search warrant, which was signed and granted by Judge Cline via phone call. Nurses were then able to draw Emmons’ blood without further incident.
Emmons was then transported to the Lawrence County Jail and booked on the listed charges.
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.
