BEDFORD — Roger Allen Szatkowski, 62, of Bedford, was taken into custody on Thursday, November 27, after a traffic stop led to charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicate including a charge elevated due to a prior conviction and a significantly high blood alcohol content.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Bedford Police Officer Michael Bell observed a cream-colored SUV at approximately 6:30 p.m. on November 27. The officer, traveling south on State Road 37, witnessed the SUV make a turn from Patrick Robbins Way onto State Road 37, during which the vehicle crossed the fog line and drove on the shoulder for a distance before correcting.
The affidavit further states that the vehicle, continuing south, was weaving within its lane. It then activated its right-hand turn signal but proceeded to change lanes to the left, entering the turn lane for 29th Street. Officer Bell followed the SUV as it turned onto 29th Street, noting the vehicle was traveling at approximately 15 miles per hour in a 30 mph zone.
Officer Bell initiated a traffic stop, activating emergency lights. The SUV pulled into the Arby’s parking lot, hitting a raised curb with its rear tire in the process.
Upon making contact with the driver, identified as Roger Szatkowski, Officer Bell observed multiple signs of impairment.
When questioned, Szatkowski admitted to drinking and confirmed he had “too much to drink,” the affidavit states.
Due to complaints of back pain, Szatkowski was unable to perform standardized field sobriety tests. During the horizontal gaze nystagm test, Szatkowski reportedly failed to follow instructions, leading to the test being discontinued.
Szatkowski consented to a preliminary breath test, which yielded a positive result for alcohol at 0.256% breath alcohol content.
He was subsequently transported to the Bedford Police Department where a certified breath test was conducted at 7:22 p.m. by Officer Jones. The certified sample registered at 0.247 g/210L, which is more than three times the legal limit of 0.08% in Indiana.
After being advised of his Miranda Rights, Szatkowski reportedly told Officer Jones that he started drinking at approximately noon, but contradicted himself by stating he quit at 8:00 p.m., an hour and a half after the traffic stop was initiated.
A background check revealed Szatkowski had a prior conviction for OWI in Monroe County.
Szatkowski was placed in the custody of the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department.
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.
