BEDFORD — A Bedford man’s attempt to assist strangers with a derby car ended in his arrest late Thursday night after police discovered he was allegedly operating a vehicle while intoxicated in violation of his specialized driving privileges.
Nathan L. Kimbrel, 37, was taken into custody by the Bedford Police Department on April 23, 2026, following reports of noise and speeding in the area of 8th and S Streets.
Officers responded to the neighborhood at approximately 11:15 p.m. after a resident complained about trucks making substantial noise. Upon arrival, Officer Sarah Haluda located several pickup trucks, including one belonging to Kimbrel.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Kimbrel was standing on a trailer, attempting to direct a group of men who were loading a derby car using a tow strap.
Witnesses at the scene informed police they did not know Kimbrel. They claimed he had “just shown up,” began revving his engine, and honked his horn repeatedly until a neighbor confronted him.
Kimbrel’s truck was found running with the hood up, jumper cables on the ground, and the driver’s side door open.
When questioned, Kimbrel initially denied drinking before admitting to consuming “several” shots of Crown Royal. He claimed he had driven to the location to help the group so they wouldn’t get in trouble with the law for making noise.
As the investigation continued, Kimbrel’s story reportedly became increasingly elaborate. He told officers he was celebrating having just graduated from a court-ordered Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) class.
He later claimed an “unknown male” had actually stolen his truck from his residence and driven it to the scene, despite the truck having a complex ignition system made of wires and switches that only Kimbrel appeared to know how to operate.
Kimbrel also shared an unsubstantiated story involving being burned by “swords” by a group in Greene County.
Officer Haluda administered a battery of Field Sobriety Tests, during which Kimbrel allegedly failed.
A preliminary breath test at the scene showed a .101 BrAC, which was later followed by a certified breath test result of .090 at the police station. During a search of the vehicle, officers located an open bottle of Crown Royal on the bench seat.
Kimbrel was already operating under specialized driving privileges due to prior OWI convictions and a status as a habitual traffic violator. He is also currently on probation for a 2024 OWI conviction out of Monroe County.
Kimbrel was booked into the Lawrence County Jail on the following preliminary charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a prior conviction, OWI per se, and violation of a specialized driving condition.
Stone City Collision impounded the vehicle.
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.
