BEDFORD – A Mitchell woman, Tonya M. Hattabaugh, 53, was arrested on July 15 on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) and public intoxication in Bedford. The arrest followed a report of a person passed out in a vehicle near Smoker Friendly.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Bedford Police Officer Sarah Haluda, she was dispatched to the area at approximately 4:25 p.m. on July 15th. Upon arrival, Officer Haluda located a white two-door Jeep Wrangler with Hattabaugh slumped over the center console in the driver’s seat. Hattabaugh was observed breathing and would occasionally jolt awake before slumping back over.
When Officer Haluda made contact, Hattabaugh slowly woke up, holding her dentures and a vape. She immediately attempted to exit the vehicle and repeatedly told the officer she was there to buy cigarettes, that her Jeep’s top had come undone, making her wet, and that she had just left an appointment at the Probation Office.
Hattabaugh agreed to perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. During these tests, Officer Haluda observed several indicators of impairment,
Despite a Portable Breath Test yielding a .000 BrAC, indicating no alcohol in her system, Hattabaugh consented to a blood draw, which was taken at IU Health Bedford Hospital at 5:13 p.m. and sent for toxicology testing.
Officer Haluda, a certified Drug Recognition Expert, then conducted a Drug Recognition Evaluation (DRE) at the Bedford Police Department. Based on numerous psychomotor tests and clinical exams, Officer Haluda concluded that a Central Nervous System Depressant impaired Hattabaugh and was unsafe to operate a vehicle.
While at the Lawrence County Jail for housing, Hattabaugh admitted to using Suboxone and Gabapentin, stating she was unsure when she had last taken her medication. Her vehicle was left in the Smoker Friendly parking lot.
The female complainant informed police she had observed Hattabaugh slumped in the vehicle for several minutes before alerting an employee. Both the complainant and the employee agreed that Hattabaugh appeared impaired and contacted law enforcement. Hattabaugh’s Probation Officer also confirmed that Hattabaugh’s demeanor during their appointment, which occurred shortly before the incident, was not typical.
Hattabaugh was placed in the custody of the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department on July 15 and is currently on probation or parole for a prior felony conviction.
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.
