BEDFORD — A local man is behind bars after a dangerous encounter on State Road 37 late Monday night. Gary Beaver, 66, of Bedford, was arrested on multiple drunk driving charges after nearly colliding with an Indiana State Police patrol vehicle
The incident occurred late Monday evening, January 5, while Trooper Logan McDowell was conducting a routine traffic stop on SR 37, just north of Bedford. According to police reports, McDowell was outside his vehicle with emergency lights activated when a black Dodge Caravan, driven by Beaver, failed to yield or move over.
The Caravan reportedly came inches from striking the Trooper’s patrol car. Recognizing the immediate danger, Trooper McDowell released the driver from the initial stop and pursued the van to initiate a secondary traffic stop.
Even after the Trooper activated his emergency lights, Beaver did not pull over immediately. Once the vehicle was brought to a halt, Trooper McDowell noted that Beaver’s behavior was consistent with significant impairment.
Following a series of field sobriety exercises, McDowell established probable cause and requested a chemical blood test. Beaver consented to the test, which revealed a preliminary blood alcohol concentration (BAC) more than twice the legal limit of 0.08% established by Indiana law.
Beaver was taken into custody without further incident and transported to the Lawrence County Jail. He currently faces charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a blood-alcohol content of 0.15 or greater and OWI endangerment.
Indiana’s “Move Over” law requires motorists to yield the lane or significantly slow down when approaching stationary emergency vehicles with flashing lights. Failure to do so puts law enforcement and first responders at extreme risk.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent until proven guilty through a fair and due legal process. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
