IMPAIRED DRIVER NEARLY STRIKES TROOPER'S PATROL VEHICLE

A Bedford man was arrested late Monday evening, January 5th, for operating while intoxicated after he nearly struck a Trooper’s patrol vehicle during a traffic stop.

Trooper Logan McDowell was conducting a traffic stop on SR37, north of Bedford, when a black Dodge Caravan, driven by Gary Beaver, Age 66, of Bedford, failed to yield to Trooper McDowell’s red/blue emergency lights and nearly struck his patrol vehicle. Trooper McDowell released the original vehicle from his traffic stop and immediately followed Beaver to initiate a traffic stop.

Trooper McDowell activated his red/blue emergency lights, but Beaver's van did not come to an immediate stop. As Trooper McDowell conducted the traffic stop, he noticed behaviors with Beaver that appeared consistent with impairment. During his investigation, Trooper McDowell conducted field sobriety exercises. Finding probable cause for operating while intoxicated, Trooper McDowell offered, and Beaver consented to a chemical blood test. Beaver’s preliminary blood alcohol level was more than twice the limit as established by Indiana statute.

Beaver was arrested without incident and transported to the Lawrence County Jail, where his custody was transferred for the following charges:

  • Operating While Intoxicated; Endangerment, a Class A Misdemeanor
  • Operating While Intoxicated with a BAC of .15 or higher, a Class A Misdemeanor

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.