BEDFORD– A Bloomington man, Bernardo V. Lopez, 50, was arrested on Tuesday, May 14, and faces charges of operating a vehicle while Intoxicated, OWI Endangerment, and operating a vehicle while never receiving a driver’s license following his erratic driving.
According to a Probable Cause Affidavit filed by Bedford Police Officer Sarah Haluda, the incident began around 5:30 p.m. near 5th Street and Lincoln Avenue. Officer Haluda observed a beige Ford sedan fail to turn left at a green light despite no oncoming traffic.
The officer followed the vehicle and discovered the registered owner had a suspended driver’s license. The affidavit states that Lopez, the driver, then accelerated rapidly, reaching 53 mph in front of Officer Haluda. After initiating a traffic stop at 5th Street and V Street, Lopez continued driving until past X Street, swerving around another stopped vehicle, causing the other driver to express concern for a potential collision or fleeing.
Upon contact with Lopez, who presented an expired Mexican passport for identification and stated he did not speak English, Officer Haluda detected a strong odor of alcohol and observed red, glassy eyes. A full, unopened Bud Light bottle was visible in the cupholder, along with a six-pack of Bud Light in the back seat, with one bottle missing and another open. Lopez denied drinking alcohol.
Lopez was asked to exit the vehicle and reportedly was unsteady on his feet, using the patrol car’s hood for support. Using Google Translate, Lopez allegedly admitted to having consumed two beers and confirmed he did not have a driver’s license. A Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) administered to Lopez registered a result of a blood-alcohol level of 0.246. When confronted with this result via translation, Lopez reportedly agreed that he had consumed more than two beers.
Due to the significant language barrier, Standardized Field Sobriety Tests were not conducted. The two passengers in the vehicle also stated they did not have driver’s licenses and were later released with a ride provided by a friend.
A vehicle inventory revealed that the previously visible open and unopened beer bottles had been concealed, and additional alcoholic beverage containers, including an empty one, were found on the front floorboard.
Officer Haluda obtained a search warrant for Lopez’s blood, which was drawn at IU Health Bedford Hospital. Lopez was subsequently transported to the Lawrence County Jail.
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.
