BEDFORD — A Bloomington man was arrested Friday night after authorities say he crashed his vehicle into a cemetery fence and fled the scene while intoxicated.
Willie Taylor, 59, faces preliminary charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI), OWI endangerment, and leaving the scene of an accident.
At approximately 8:46 p.m. on Friday, April 24, Bedford Police officers were dispatched to Green Hill Cemetery following reports that a red sedan had struck the cemetery fencing and left the area. Dispatchers soon located the vehicle parked at the nearby Busch Monument on M Street.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Taylor admitted to investigators that he was driving northbound on Mitchell Road when he lost control of his vehicle while rounding a curve near 22nd Street. He confirmed that he crashed into the cemetery fence before continuing to the monument parking lot.
During the investigation, Officer A. Manke noted that Taylor appeared unsteady on his feet and leaned against his vehicle for support. The officer also reported an odor of alcohol and marijuana on Taylor’s person.
Key details from the roadside investigation included Taylor failed field sobriety tests. A preliminary breath test showed a blood alcohol concentration of .187%, more than twice the legal limit.
Taylor informed officers he had marijuana in his pocket, which was later seized for destruction.
Taylor submitted to a certified chemical blood draw at IU Health Bedford Hospital before being transported to the Lawrence County Jail for housing.
Officers took photographs of the damaged fencing at Green Hill Cemetery and Taylor’s vehicle, which was impounded by Jackson’s Heavy Haul. A formal Indiana State accident report was completed in conjunction with the criminal charges.
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.
