BEDFORD — A 20-year-old Mitchell woman was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday morning after her vehicle became stuck in a snowbank, leading to a confrontation with Bedford Police officers.
Gracie E. Brown faces preliminary charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI), illegal consumption of alcohol, and resisting law enforcement.
At approximately 2:55 a.m. on February 4, 2026, Officer Chase Hamilton discovered a brown Chevrolet Equinox stuck in a snowbank at the intersection of US 50 East and Limestone Run Road.
Brown, the driver, initially told the officer she had hit a patch of ice while turning. However, during the conversation, Officer Hamilton reported detecting a strong odor of alcohol, noting that Brown’s eyes were bloodshot and her speech was slurred. Though she initially denied drinking, the affidavit states she later admitted to having “one shot” a few hours prior.
Police conducted a series of standardized field sobriety tests, which she failed.
The situation escalated during the arrest. As she was being escorted to the patrol vehicle, Brown reportedly pulled away from the officer and dropped to the ground. Once inside the car, she allegedly kicked the windows and the partition cage. During transport, the affidavit notes Brown managed to slip one hand out of her handcuffs, forcing the officer to stop and re-secure her.
Due to repeated statements regarding self-harm, Brown was monitored closely by officers. A search warrant for a blood draw was granted by Judge Nikirk and executed at IU Health Bedford at 4:47 a.m.
Following medical clearance, Brown was transported to the Lawrence County Jail.
The results of the certified blood draw are pending and may lead to additional charges of OWI per se. The passenger in the vehicle was released to a family member without charges.
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.
