BEDFORD– A welfare check on a man found lying on the side of a road led to the arrest of an Orleans man on drug charges. John Mark Burton, 41, faces multiple felony and misdemeanor counts after police say he admitted to driving under the influence of methamphetamine and alcohol.
The incident began on April 1, 2025, when the Lawrence County Police Department received a call about a man who had pulled off the road, exited his vehicle, and lay down on the ground. When officers arrived at approximately 4:23 p.m., they found Burton lying on the ground behind his vehicle, drifting in and out of consciousness. He was administered Narcan, an overdose reversal medication, by both police and medical staff.
During the medical response, police say they noticed a strong smell of marijuana coming from Burton’s vehicle. A subsequent search reportedly uncovered a glass smoking device, a bag of crystal meth, several burnt marijuana joints, and empty alcohol containers.
Following his treatment, officers met Burton at IU Bedford Hospital. After being read his rights, Burton allegedly admitted to driving the vehicle and consuming both alcohol and illegal substances, including marijuana and meth. He also reportedly confirmed the items found in the truck belonged to him.
A lab analysis of the substance found in the vehicle confirmed it was methamphetamine, weighing 0.31 grams.
Court documents also note that about an hour before the initial call, central dispatch received a report of a gray Ford truck driving erratically and nearly striking other vehicles on Tunnelton Road. This description matched Burton’s vehicle.
In a separate, but related incident that same day, an officer with the IU Police Department contacted Lawrence County police, stating that Burton had become combative at the hospital, biting medical staff and attempting to grab an officer’s holstered firearm.
Based on the investigation, a warrant was issued for Burton’s arrest on charges of operating a vehicle with a controlled substance in his body, OWI, and possession of meth. He was detained on September 17.
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.
