Deputy director of crime lab arrested for OWI - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

The deputy director of Marion County's crime lab was arrested for drunk driving Wednesday. Police say he had a blood alcohol content of .21 when he was arrested.

Ronald Blacklock, 50, of Indianapolis, works for Marion County's Forensic Services Agency. Witnesses told police that he went into a business conference at around 6:15 pm Wednesday at Union Station and hugged a woman. She later told police he smelled strongly of alcohol, and other participants in the conference also noticed Blacklock displaying other signs of intoxication, including problems with balance and dexterity.

Participants were concerned about Blacklock's apparent drunkenness and the fact that he was armed.

Blacklock was reportedly asked to leave, although he denied drinking. After lingering for a few more minutes, Blacklock was escorted from the building at around 7:00 pm. The person escorting him asked if he had driven, and Blacklock said his car was in the garage.

Police were called to the scene, but by the time they arrived, Blacklock was gone. An officer went to Blacklock's home at around 9:00 pm to speak to him.

The officer noticed the smell of alcohol on Blacklock's breath and asked him about the incident downtown. He said he had hugged a woman and made someone angry and was asked to leave. Blacklock told the officer he'd driven home and that he had not had anything to drink since arriving home. He also said he was on medication that would make him ill if he drank alcohol.

The officer brought him to Wishard Hospital for a blood draw, and Blacklock told the officer that he didn't understand why he was going downtown because he hadn't been drinking. Later in the conversation with the officer, he contradicted himself and said he had been drinking.

The blood draw determined that Blacklock had a blood alcohol content of .21. He was arrested and charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated and public intoxication.