LAWRENCE CO. – A Bloomington man was arrested after police say he was intoxicated and fled the scene of an injury accident on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Lawrence County Police Officer Calvin Callahan, Nigel Barry Newlin, 79, is accused of driving under the influence of alcohol and causing a collision.
On January 29th, at approximately 9:45 a.m., Lawrence County Dispatch received a report of a car stopped in the middle of the roadway and an elderly man driving erratically near the intersection of State Highway 37 and Washboard Road. Officer Callahan responded to the location.
Upon arrival, Officer Callahan spoke with a witness who reported that a white Infiniti SUV, driven by an elderly white male later identified as Nigel Newlin, had stopped in the middle of the roadway. The witness stated that he believed Newlin was intoxicated, noting an odor of alcohol on his breath.
Shortly after, dispatch reported an accident at the intersection of State Road 37 and Trogdon Lane. Officer Callahan proceeded to the scene and found debris from a vehicle collision and a blue Honda CRV off the roadway. Witnesses reported that the white Infiniti had turned left into the path of the Honda CRV, causing the crash, and then continued driving east on Trogdon Lane.
The driver of the Honda CRV, Brianna Dorsett, who was pregnant, reported head and left-side pain and was transported to IU Health Bloomington hospital for treatment.
Oolitic Town Marshal Ryan Duckett located the white Infiniti on Trogdon Lane. Marshal Duckett observed Newlin in the driver’s seat and noted signs of intoxication, including poor manual dexterity and the odor of alcohol. Newlin was attempting to operate the vehicle while it was in a ditch. Newlin agreed to a chemical test.
Officer Callahan later met with Newlin at IU Health Bedford, where a blood draw was administered. Officer Callahan reported that Newlin displayed signs of confusion and repeated himself, and the odor of alcohol was detected on his breath. Newlin allegedly admitted to drinking bourbon earlier in the day.
The Indiana State Department of Toxicology Report later showed Newlin’s blood alcohol content (BAC) to be 0.245 g/100 mL.
Based on the investigation, the information was forwarded to the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office, and a warrant was issued for Newlin’s arrest. He was detained on May 13 on charges of operating a vehicle with a blood-alcohol content of 0.15 percent or greater.
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.
