BEDFORD – A routine traffic stop for a broken headlight resulted in felony charges early Sunday morning after a driver allegedly failed multiple sobriety tests in a fast-food parking lot.
Mathew Mounce, 41, of Bedford, was arrested on January 18, 2026, by the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department. He faces a preliminary charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated a prior conviction, a Level 6 Felony.
The incident began at approximately 2:16 a.m. when Deputy Kyle Long spotted a blue Chevrolet HHR with a non-functioning front headlight traveling near State Road 37 and Pumphouse Road. Mounce pulled the vehicle into the Arby’s parking lot on 29th Street, where the investigation took place.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Deputy Long detected a “strong odor of an alcoholic beverage” coming from the vehicle. Although Mounce initially denied drinking, he agreed to a preliminary breath test (PBT) to prove his sobriety. The test returned a result of 0.125%, well above Indiana’s legal limit of 0.08%.
Following the breath test, Mounce consented to Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs). Assisted by Deputy Thomas Porter, officers reported several signs of impairment.
Following the failed tests, Mounce reportedly changed his story, admitting to deputies that he had been drinking earlier in the evening at the Eagles club in Bloomington while attending a wrestling event.
Mounce also disclosed that he had a prior conviction for operating while intoxicated, a fact later confirmed by dispatch. This prior history elevates the current charge to a Level 6 Felony under Indiana law.
Mounce was transported to the Lawrence County Jail, where a certified breath test was administered. The results showed a breath alcohol concentration of 0.115%.
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.
