ISP probes deadly 41-mile chase: Starting agency quit pursuit but was present at crash scene
As Indiana State Police continue their investigation into the 41-mile police chase that ended with one man dead, investigators say the agency that started the pursuit abandoned it, but "happened to drive up on the aftermath."
The multi-county pursuit started in New Castle before ending in a three-vehicle crash on the east side of Indianapolis. Dewuan L. Hampton, 33, was identified by the Marion County Coroner's Office as the deceased, with his cause and manner of death being "motor vehicle accident/police pursuit." He was a passenger in the fleeing Dodge Durango.
The pursuit ended at the intersection of Washington Street and Miffhoefer Road when the driver crashed the Durango crashed into a Ford Mustang and a Mercedes. Hampton was ejected from the Dodge and died at the scene.
Subsequent investigation showed the Durango was stolen, police said. Its driver was later arrested on charges including resisting law enforcement, causing death and auto theft.
Previous coverage: Coroner identifies man killed on East Washington in deadly police pursuit that went 41 miles
The pursuit was initiated by Henry County Sheriff John Sproles after he saw the Durango's operater driving recklessly and erratically. He pursued the vehicle onto I-70 westbound toward Indianapolis. State troopers attempted to deploy stop sticks on I-70 west of Greenfield, but were unsuccessful.
At that point, Sproles called for his deputies to abandon the pursuit.
An Indiana State trooper, who had joined the pursuit on I-70, continued chasing the vehicle as it exited onto Post Road. As the Durango went south on Mitthoefer from 16th Street the trooper abandoned the chase, police said. The trooper turned off his lights and did a U-turn going the opposite direction of the Durango.
A Henry County deputy, at the direction of Sproles, had stayed in the area to offer support to troopers. State police said the deputy was not in sight of the trooper or the suspect vehicle and was merely in the area.
After the trooper terminated the pursuit, the Henry County deputy drove up on the crash and called for Indianapolis Fire and EMS.
No officers witnessed the crash, according to investigators.
It was determined that the speed of the Durango when it struck the Ford Mustang in the intersection of Washington and Mitthoefer was 89 mph.
There was no indication of brakes being applied by the driver of the Durango. After the first impact, the Durango began rolling several times, striking the front of a white Mercedes and continuing to roll and slide more than 100 yards before stopping.
Jade Jackson is a Public Safety Reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com and follow her on X, formerly Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: ISP: Agency dropped out of 41-mile chase but was at scene where man died
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