BEDFORD – A man from Osceola, Indiana, was arrested and charged with multiple counts of operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) after allegedly rear-ending a car and then driving erratically away from the accident scene on September 19.
Bedford Police Department Officer Stuart Ratcliff responded to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of 5th Street and Lincoln Avenue at 8:33 p.m.. The officer observed a dark blue Ford Escape, driven by Eli J. Gaffron, 24, of Osceola, that had rear-ended a white Buick Verano.
Gaffron told the officer he was traveling west on 5th Street when the vehicle in front of him braked for a red light, and he was too tired from working and caretaking all day to stop in time.
After both drivers were initially released from the scene, Officer Ratcliff observed Gaffron’s Ford Escape driving west on 5th Street with its hazard lights still on for several blocks. The officer then witnessed the vehicle cross over the center line approximately three times, prompting him to initiate a traffic stop near Bellback Road.
During the stop, Gaffron appeared “extremely slow to speak” and was not always comprehending the officer’s questions. He agreed to perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST), which he failed.
After being read his Miranda Rights, Gaffron initially claimed he had only taken Gabapentin and Seroquel, but later admitted to taking one Xanax at approximately 4:00 p.m. that day. He also told officers that he felt like he should not have been driving.
A review of Gaffron’s criminal history revealed a prior conviction for OWI endangerment in Elkhart County on January 10, 2024.
Gaffron was arrested and charged with OWI with a prior conviction, OWI per se, and OWI endangerment
He agreed to a certified chemical test and was transported to IU Health Hospital in Bedford for a blood draw before being booked into 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.
