Dubois County: A six mile pursuit late last night ended with a Rockport man behind bars.
At about 10:05 last night, Trooper Ross Johnson was stationary along State Road 161, near Old State Road 64 (north of Holland), when he observed a green 1996 GMC Jimmy traveling northbound at what appeared to be a high rate of speed. Trooper Johnson activated his radar, which indicated the GMC was traveling 72 miles per hour in a 55 mile per hour zone. Trooper Johnson pulled behind the GMC and, as the GMC turned west onto Old State Road 64, he activated his emergency lights to attempt to initiate a traffic stop. Rather than stop, the GMC accelerated in an attempt to flee.
During the pursuit, the GMC made an unsafe pass on a double yellow line, drove down the middle of the roadway, and attempted to evade Trooper Johnson at speeds nearing 100 miles per hour. After reaching Stendal in Pike County, the GMC left the roadway, struck a concrete bridge, and again continued to flee. A short time later, the GMC left the roadway a second time, stopping in a ditch. The driver, Matthew R. Jennings, 26, Grandview, jumped out of the vehicle and began running from the scene. Trooper Johnson gave chase, catching Jennings and placing him into custody.
Jennings was lodged without further incident in the Pike County Jail on charges of Resisting Law Enforcement and Reckless Driving.
*Attached picture is of the GMC Jimmy after the pursuit.
Arrested and Charges:
Matthew R. Jennings, 26
410 East 8th Street, Grandview, IN
- Resisting Law Enforcement, Level 6 Felony
- Reckless Driving, Class B Misdemeanor
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HENSLEY
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
