BEDFORD – A Bloomington man was arrested early Sunday morning for operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) after police observed him driving erratically.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Bedford Police Officer Joshua Turner, Dakota Shane Hutchens, 26, was taken into custody with a blood alcohol content significantly over the legal limit.
On May 11, at approximately 2:05 a.m., Officer Turner was on patrol near 15th and J Streets when he observed a white Nissan truck make a wide right turn onto 15th Street, crossing over the lane divider. Officer Turner followed the truck and witnessed it turn left onto M Street using a turn signal, but then turn right onto 16th Street at a red light without signaling.
While continuing to follow the truck on 16th Street, Officer Turner observed the truck’s driver’s side tires cross the yellow dividing line thrice. The vehicle also traveled above the posted 30 miles per hour speed limit, with Officer Turner’s certified odometer indicating he was traveling at 38 MPH. At the same time, the truck continued to pull away.
Officer Turner initiated a traffic stop at the intersection of 16th Street and Plaza Drive, with the truck stopping in the McDonald’s parking lot at 3202 16th Street. Upon contacting the driver, Dakota Hutchens, Officer Turner immediately detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage and observed that Hutchens’ eyes were very red and glossy. Hutchens initially denied having consumed any alcohol.
Hutchens was asked to exit the vehicle and was reportedly unsteady on his feet, using the door for balance. Officer Turner also noted that Hutchens’ pants were unzipped. Hutchens agreed to perform field sobriety tests but stated he could not complete the walk-and-turn test due to a previous injury. He failed the other tests and declined a preliminary breath test.
After being read his Miranda Warnings, Hutchens admitted to having a couple of beers approximately four hours prior and then taking a nap before deciding to get food. After reading Indiana’s Implied Consent law, Hutchens agreed to submit a certified chemical breath test at the Bedford Police Department.
The breath test, administered at 2:58 a.m. on May 11, 2025, using an Intox EC-IR II machine, yielded a result of 0.248 g/210L, more than three times the legal limit of 0.08. Due to his high blood alcohol content, Hutchens was taken to IU Health Bedford for medical clearance before being transported to the Lawrence County Jail on charges of operating a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level of greater than 0.15, OWI, 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.
