LAWRENCE CO.— A Brownstown man was arrested on multiple felony charges Friday, March 6th, after Indiana State Police conducted a traffic stop on State Road 37.
Tyler J. Hamilton, 22, was taken into custody following a high-speed encounter that revealed multiple levels of alleged impairment and the presence of a minor in the vehicle.
At approximately 9:45 p.m., Trooper Mackenzi Alexander observed a black 1983 Jeep traveling southbound on SR 37 near SR 54 with expired license plates. Upon initiating a stop near SR 58, the trooper noted that the vehicle contained four occupants.
As the vehicle came to a rest, the officer observed the back-seat passengers attempting to quickly fasten their seatbelts. Upon approaching the driver, identified as Hamilton, the trooper reported an immediate odor of alcohol and noted that Hamilton’s eyes were red and watery, his speech was slurred, and his manual dexterity was poor.
While Hamilton and the front-seat passenger—a 16-year-old minor—initially denied drinking, a preliminary breath test performed on the minor showed a result of .031 BrAC. Hamilton subsequently admitted to consuming four beers and informed the officer that he was currently on probation for a prior OWI conviction from less than a year ago.
Trooper Alexander conducted standardized field sobriety tests during which Hamilton reportedly struggled to maintain balance and failed.
A roadside breath test indicated Hamilton’s breath alcohol concentration was .138%.
Hamilton was transported to IU Health Bedford for a certified blood draw before being incarcerated at the Lawrence County Jail. He was issued citations for expired plates and a seatbelt violation, while all other passengers also received seatbelt citations. The 16-year-old passenger was summoned into court for minor consumption.
Hamilton faces the following preliminary charges: operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a prior conviction, a Level 6 felony, OWI endangerment with a prior conviction, a Level 6 felony, OWI endangerment with a person less than 18 years old, a Level 6 felony; and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a Class A misdemeanor.
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.
