BEDFORD – A Heltonville woman is facing charges after being involved in a potential drunk driving incident on April 14, 2024, in Lawrence County.
Natasha Starr Wilson, 31, was arrested following an investigation by the Lawrence County Police Department and the Indiana State Police.
According to the probable cause affidavit, at approximately 10:15 p.m., the Lawrence County Central Dispatch received a call from the Indiana State Police regarding a possible intoxicated driver in the 6000 block of Tunnelton Road. Officer R. Compton of the Lawrence County Police Department responded to the scene, where he observed Wilson’s vehicle partially blocking the roadway.
State Trooper Cody Brown, who had arrived at the scene before Officer Compton, spoke with Wilson. Brown reported that Wilson told him her vehicle had run out of gas. Upon further interaction, Wilson was found to have a bleeding injury on her left knee, which she claimed was from a fall earlier that evening. Brown also noted that Wilson had admitted to consuming alcohol earlier in the evening but did not undergo field sobriety tests due to her injury. Wilson did submit to a portable breath test, which indicated a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.155 percent, nearly twice the legal limit.
Officer Compton then took over the investigation and read Wilson her rights under Indiana’s Implied Consent law, to which she consented to a chemical test. Wilson was transported to IU Bedford Hospital for medical evaluation and a blood draw. The results of the blood test, received by the police in May, confirmed a blood alcohol level of 0.151 percent, further supporting the charges of operating while intoxicated.
Wilson, who was not immediately arrested due to the need for medical clearance, was informed that the results of the toxicology report would be forwarded to the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s office for review. An arrest warrant was issued, and Wilson was arrested on January 18th at 6:05 p.m.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent unless convicted through due legal proceedings. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
