A 28-year-old Bedford man, Justin P. Minton, is facing criminal charges in Lawrence County following a destructive late-night crash that occurred last August. Official court records state that Minton was employed as a 911 dispatcher for Martin County at the time of the incident.

The Incident:

On August 23, 2025, at approximately 3:28 a.m., Lawrence County deputies responded to a single-vehicle wreck on Rabbitsville Road, just north of Woodville Road. They arrived to find a tan 2000 Toyota Corolla in a ditch with heavy front-end damage and deployed airbags.

The investigation revealed the vehicle had:

Snapped a Duke Energy utility pole.

Destroyed a mailbox.

Plowed through a fence.

The Investigation:

The driver, Justin P. Minton, initially told deputies he swerved to avoid a deer. However, officers noted several signs of intoxication, including slurred speech and unsteady balance. According to court records, Minton admitted to consuming “five to six shots of tequila” at a bar in Mitchell before driving.

The Numbers:

Preliminary Breath Test (PBT): .226% at the scene.

Official Toxicology (Blood Draw): .246% BAC—over three times the legal limit.

Timeline Update:

While the crash happened in August and toxicology was returned in November, the formal criminal case was officially opened in Lawrence County on February 5, 2026.

Minton is facing charges related to Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.

According to Martin County Sheriff’s Dept Minton was terminated from the department following the arrest warrant.