BEDFORD – A Heltonville man was arrested on Monday afternoon after being pulled over for speeding in a school zone with an 8-year-old in the car. Billy D. Martin, 52, faces multiple charges, including operating a vehicle while intoxicated, neglect of a dependent, and possession of marijuana.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Bedford Police Officer Steven Hatton Jr., he observed a gold Toyota Echo traveling at 42 miles per hour in a 20 miles per hour school zone on 16th Street near Brian Lane Way at approximately 3:05 p.m.
Upon stopping the vehicle, Officer Hatton identified the driver as Martin. Martin appeared extremely nervous, had glassy eyes, and was bouncing his legs. He admitted he did not have a driver’s license. Martin told the officer that he was taking his grandchild home from the hospital.
Officer Hatton called for a K9 unit, and a probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted after the dog alerted to the presence of narcotics. Officers found a partially smoked cigarette containing what was later field-tested as marijuana, as well as three vodka bottles—one partially full and two empty.
Martin consented to a preliminary breath test, which registered a .082 blood-alcohol content, and he was then transported to IU Health Bedford, where a blood draw was taken for a chemical test. A check of Martin’s driving history confirmed that he has never been licensed to drive.
The child was taken to IU Health Bedford Hospital with his legal guardian, his grandmother, who arranged for a family member to pick him up. The Department of Child Services was notified of the incident.
Martin was transported to the Lawrence County Jail for housing.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the Probable Cause Affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
