BEDFORD — A Bedford man was taken into custody early Friday morning on charges of operating a vehicle while Intoxicated and OWI endangerment following a traffic stop initiated after he allegedly failed to comply with Indiana’s “Move Over” law while passing a patrol car.
James E. Souders, 52, of Bedford, was arrested and transported to the Lawrence County Jail after refusing a preliminary breath test and later having a blood draw executed via a search warrant.
The incident began on November 29, 2025, at approximately 12:57 a.m. According to a probable cause filed by Bedford Police Officer Taylor Daugherty, she was conducting a separate traffic stop on State Road 37 southbound at 39th Street.
The officer’s fully marked patrol car had its emergency red and blue lights activated. While Officer Daugherty was outside the vehicle speaking with the driver of the initial stop, a black 2002 GMC Yukon, allegedly driven by Souders, passed the scene at a high rate of speed in the right lane.
The Yukon did not slow down or move over into the left lane, violating the Indiana Code IC 9-21-8-35 despite the left lane being clear of traffic.
Officer Daugherty terminated the initial stop and pursued the Yukon, initiating a new traffic stop just north of the White River Bridge on State Road 37 at Dixie Highway.
Upon making contact with Souders, Officer Daugherty reported difficulty communicating, as Souders allegedly refused to fully roll down his window and appeared unable to comprehend questions. After multiple requests, Souders eventually stepped out of the vehicle.
Once outside, the officer detected an odor of alcohol from Souders’ breath and person. Officer Daugherty also noted that Souders displayed several signs of impairment. When asked, Souders admitted to consuming three beers.
Souders agreed to perform standardized field sobriety tests which he failed.
When asked to perform a preliminary breath test, Souders reportedly became argumentative and refused. He was then placed in the patrol car and read the Indiana Implied Consent form but refused to provide a definitive answer.
Following the refusal, a blood draw search warrant application was completed. The warrant was approved by the Judge Nikirk at 2:22 a.m. Souders was transported to IU Health Bedford Hospital, where two vials of blood were drawn at 2:35 a.m. by a registered nurse. Those results are pending.
Souders was subsequently transported and booked into the Lawrence County Jail for the offenses of OWI and OWI endangerment. A passenger in the vehicle was given a courtesy ride to a nearby location, and the vehicle was towed
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.
