Bloomington – (Monroe County) Just after 10:00 a.m., while Trooper Adam Davis was northbound on State Road 37 near Acuff Road just north of Bloomington, a northbound silver Ford Focus passed Trooper Davis’ fully marked police vehicle at 100 mph in a 55 mph zone. When Trooper Davis got the vehicle stopped near Bottom Road, upon his approach to the driver’s side window, the driver indicated he was exempt from being stopped by Law Enforcement and proceeded northbound on State Road 37.
Again, Trooper Davis pursued the Ford Focus as it continued northbound, following it westbound on Simpson Chapel Road and then ultimately westbound on Williams Road. The driver then abandoned the vehicle and fled.
ISP Troopers saturated the area and immediately notified residents living in the neighborhood of the description of the male driver as given by Trooper Davis and to call 911 if located.
Within minutes, an area resident spotted the suspect driver hiding behind a house in the 800 Block of Williams Road and notified the ISP Bloomington Post Regional Dispatch of the information. Troopers secured the property and were able to take the suspect driver into custody after he initially resisted arrest.
The suspect driver was identified by Trooper Davis, along with his Indiana Identification as Jaimi Luke Smith, 34 of Lafayette, Indiana. Smith was transported to the Monroe County Jail on the following charges;
1) Resisting Law Enforcement w/a Vehicle – Level 6 Felony
2) Resisting Law Enforcement by Force – Class A Misdemeanor
3) Resisting Law Enforcement by Fleeing - Class A Misdemeanor
4) Reckless Driving – Class B Misdemeanor
5) Refusal to Identify – Class C Misdemeanor
6) Operating While Intoxicated – Class C Misdemeanor
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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PHOTO - Jaimi Luke Smith being escorted by Trooper Ryan White (right) and Sergeant Greg Day (left). Sergeant Doug Hutchinson behind Smith.
