BEDFORD— A Florida man was arrested on Monday evening after being found with a blood alcohol concentration over the legal limit, following a tip from a local restaurant.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Bedford Police Officer Sarah Haluda, officers were alerted to be on the lookout for a white Toyota with a Kentucky license plate as it left the Buffalo Wings & Rings restaurant. The caller reported the driver was extremely impaired and had fallen while leaving the establishment.
Officer Haluda located the vehicle, which was traveling southbound on State Road 37, and initiated a traffic stop. The driver was identified as Philip A. Showler, 63, of St. Cloud, Florida.
Showler, who admitted to having two bourbons with dinner, displayed signs of impairment during the stop. Officer Haluda noted he was unsteady on his feet and made slow, deliberate movements. During a series of standardized field sobriety tests, Showler was unable to maintain his balance, stepped off the line, and used his arms for balance.
After failing the field tests, Showler agreed to a preliminary breath test, which registered a blood alcohol content of .100. He was then transported to the Bedford Police Department for a certified breath test, conducted by Captain Emmons, an accredited operator. The test at 8:47 p.m. showed a blood-alcohol content of .120, which is over Indiana’s legal limit of .08.
Showler was taken to the Lawrence County Jail for housing on operating a vehicle while intoxicated and OWI per se. His vehicle was towed from the scene.
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.
