BEDFORD – A Mitchell man was arrested on Friday evening, July 25, 2025, after an alleged incident of erratic driving, signs of intoxication, and resisting law enforcement. Joseph Lee Nelson, 53, of Mitchell, is facing charges of operating a vehicle while Intoxicated with a blood-alcohol content of over 0.15, OWI endangerment, and resisting arrest by force.
According to an affidavit for probable cause filed by Officer Michael Bell of the Bedford Police Department, he was on patrol on State Road 37 southbound near Dixie Highway at approximately 6:48 p.m. when he observed a large gray pickup truck driving at a high rate of speed. Officer Bell noted the driver, later identified as Nelson, abruptly changed lanes without signaling, failed to yield to traffic, and then quickly accelerated, exceeding 70 miles per hour in a 55 MPH zone. The vehicle also reportedly crossed the white fog line multiple times.
Officer Bell initiated a traffic stop near the intersection of State Road 37 and US 50 West, and Nelson pulled into the Speedway gas station parking lot, stopping on the north side.
Upon approaching the vehicle, Officer Bell detected a strong odor of alcohol emanating from the truck. He also observed Nelson to have red, glassy eyes, poor manual dexterity, and slurred, at times incoherent, speech. Nelson initially provided a financial document instead of his registration. When asked if he had been drinking, Nelson confirmed he had consumed alcoholic beverages, stating he drank Coronas around 2:30 p.m., spread out over an hour.
Nelson consented to Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs), but due to his “very poor balance” and complaints about his lower body, Officer Bell only conducted the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test. Nelson reportedly performed poorly on this test, swaying and using his head to follow the stimulus. A Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) administered to Nelson yielded a positive result for alcohol, with a blood-alcohol content of 0.183%. Nelson attempted to test his blood sugar on scene, but was unsuccessful.
While waiting for Nelson to test his blood sugar, officers detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Officer Bell read the Indiana Implied Consent to Nelson, and Nelson submitted to a certified chemical test. During this time, Nelson continued to exhibit poor balance, an unstable demeanor, and the odor of alcohol.
Nelson was then handcuffed and escorted to Officer Hatton’s patrol vehicle for transport to IU Health Bedford for a blood draw. According to Officer Hatton, while at IU Health Bedford, Nelson became agitated and allegedly attempted to turn around while being escorted. Officer Hatton stated he had to secure Nelson’s left arm after this attempt.
While at IU Health, Nelson also allegedly made threats to the officers. After being discharged from IU Health, Nelson reportedly attempted to physically pull his arm out of Officer Hatton’s hand while being escorted to the patrol car. Nelson was secured and transported to the Lawrence County Jail for housing.
Blands towed Nelson’s vehicle from the scene.
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.
