PLYMOUTH, Ind. (ADAMS) – A two-county police chase in northern Indiana saw top speeds of 100 miles-per-hour and three blown tires.
The Indiana State Police say it started in Kosciusko County when a driver sped past a trooper who was in the middle of a traffic stop. The chase eventually ended up in Marshall County.
That’s when deputies and troopers used stop sticks to blow out three tires on the car. The driver lost control and crashed.
He was taken to the hospital to be checked out before being taken to the Kosciusko County Jail.
Indiana State Police released the following:
On February 24, 2022, at approximately 11:52 a.m., Trooper Jeff Wampler attempted to stop a gray 2018 Chrysler 300 after it failed to move over or slow down, as required by law, as it passed by him on a traffic stop westbound on US-30, just west of CR 500 West.
When Wampler caught up to the Chrysler he was able to determine that the license plate did not match the Chrysler. When he turned on his red and blue emergency lights on his unmarked Dodge Charger the driver of the Chrysler refused to stop and sped up to speeds of over 100 miles per hour as it continued westbound on US-30, eventually entering Marshall County.
A trooper was successfully able to deploy a tire deflation device (Stop Sticks) near Iris Road, flattening both driver side tires. This did not stop the driver of the Chrysler and he continued to flee westbound. Troopers and deputies with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office again deployed Stop Sticks near King Road, deflating the front passenger tire.
The driver of the Chrysler continued to flee westbound while driving on three rims. The driver of the Chrysler hit another set of Stop Sticks near the overpass for SR-17 but continued to flee westbound. Near Oak Road, the driver of the Chrysler tried to pass a semi on the right side and lost control of the Chrysler. The Chrysler went into the ditch to the right, hitting two signs and rolling onto the roof.
The driver, identified as Merieal Tolbert, 28 of Chicago, IL was safely taken into custody. He was transported to a local hospital to be medically cleared. Further investigation revealed that the Chrysler was reported stolen out of Ft. Wayne, IN earlier today.
Tolbert was transported to the Kosciusko County Jail after being arrested for Resisting Law Enforcement and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle
*All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
