BEDFORD – A Bedford man was arrested early Saturday morning after being found unconscious in his truck with an open beer can and later found to have methamphetamine.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Bedford Police Officer Zakry E. Brooking, Mendelram Obediah Isham Wright, 28, faces charges of operating while intoxicated with a prior conviction and possession of methamphetamine.
On May 10, at approximately 5:05 a.m., Officer Daugherty was dispatched to the area of the Laser Car Wash at 1204 15th Street regarding an unconscious male in a black Dodge Ram. Upon arrival, the officer located a truck partially in the roadway and partially on the sidewalk on L Street next to the car wash. Wright was found unconscious in the driver’s seat and was initially unresponsive to attempts to wake him.
After several attempts, Wright regained consciousness but remained unresponsive to questions and commands. He was instructed to turn off the vehicle and remove his seatbelt, but did not comply. Wright eventually turned off the truck but had left it in gear. When he removed his foot from the brake, the truck began to roll backward, nearly striking Officer Daugherty.
According to the affidavit, Wright pleaded not to be taken to jail, at which point Officer Daugherty noticed an open can of Coors Light in Wright’s lap. Wright stated the beer had “been open for a minute.” Officer Daugherty also noted that Wright’s speech was slurred.
Wright was ordered out of the vehicle and, when asked if he had anything on him, stated “no just spilled beer.” While exiting, Wright staggered and dropped his dentures. He then picked them up and put them back in his mouth. When asked for identification, Wright responded “bet.” Officer Daugherty detected a strong odor of alcohol on Wright’s breath and person and observed that he had poor balance and was swaying.
Wright was advised of his Miranda Warnings and indicated he understood. He stated he had been dropping someone off at their house.
Officer Daugherty attempted to conduct Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs), which Wright failed. Wright reportedly stated, “I’m drunk. I’m not trying to lie to you,” and initially refused a preliminary breath test (PBT) before ultimately submitting to one, which resulted in a blood–alcohol content of 0.152, well above the legal limit of 0.08.
Wright refused a certified chemical test, and a blood draw search warrant was obtained. Before being placed in a patrol vehicle, Wright was searched, and officers allegedly found a folded dollar bill containing crystal methamphetamine in his pants pocket. Officers also noted that Wright had urinated in his pants.
Judge Cline approved a blood draw search warrant at 6:10 a.m. on May 10. Wright was transported to IU Health Hospital, where a blood sample was collected at 6:36 a.m.. He was then taken to the Lawrence County Jail.
A search of Wright’s driving record revealed a prior conviction for operating a vehicle while intoxicated on November 10, 2021.
Wright is facing charges of OWI with a prior conviction and possession of meth.
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.
