BEDFORD — A 28-year-old Mitchell man is facing multiple operating while intoxicated charges after an off-duty police officer observed him driving into oncoming traffic on State Road 37.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Bedford Police Officer Taylor Daugherty, off-duty Officer Hatton was driving southbound on State Road 37 in a fully marked patrol car at approximately 3:57 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. Officer Hatton reported seeing a red 1999 Buick Century fluctuating in speed and failing to maintain its lane.
As the vehicle attempted to turn left onto Oolitic Main Street from the left-turn lane, the driver missed the turn and drove directly into the northbound lanes, into oncoming traffic, before making the turn. Officer Hatton initiated a traffic stop and identified the driver as Alexander Bye of Mitchell.
Officer Hatton requested backup after observing open alcoholic beverages on the passenger floorboard and detecting the odor of an alcoholic beverage. Officer Daugherty arrived on the scene shortly after to assist.
According to police records, Bye was trembling and exhibited very poor balance. While Bye agreed to a preliminary breath test (PBT) that yielded a negative result for alcohol, he failed multiple field sobriety and impairment assessments.
After being advised of his Miranda rights and Indiana Implied Consent, Bye submitted to a certified chemical test. He was transported to IU Health Bedford Hospital, where a registered nurse completed a blood draw at 5:00 p.m.
Bye’s vehicle was inventoried and towed from the scene by Stone City Towing. Officers noted that Bye has a previous conviction for operating a vehicle while intoxicated out of Orange County in 2023.
Following the blood draw, Bye was transported to the Lawrence County Jail and remanded to the custody of the Lawrence County Sheriff on preliminary charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a prior conviction and OWI endangerment.
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.
