Teen Driving Stolen Vehicle Crashes while Fleeing Indiana State Police
Daviess County – At approximately 4:30 this afternoon a subject stole a 2009 Ford Ranger pickup truck from a gas station located at 6th Street and Old Wheatland Road in Vincennes. Moments after the Vincennes City Police dispatched the stolen vehicle, Trooper Ryan Johnson spotted it on US 50 west of Wheatland. Trooper Johnson attempted to stop the vehicle as it traveled east on US 50, but the driver refused to stop and accelerated to approximately 95 mph. The driver attempted to turn south on SR 57, but lost control and struck a 2007 Chrysler Pacifica that was stopped on SR 57 in the left turn lane south of US 50. After impact, the Chrysler was pushed into a 2007 Chrysler 300 that was stopped on SR 57 in the northbound lane. The Chrysler 300 was then pushed into a 2015 GMC Sierra that was stopped in the right turn lane south of US 50. Two of the drivers and two passengers were taken to Daviess County Hospital where they are currently being treated for non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the GMC Sierra was not injured. The driver of the stolen vehicle was identified as Austin Eckes, 18, of Vincennes. He was taken to Daviess County Hospital for a neck injury, but he was released and taken to the Knox County Jail where he is currently being held on bond.
Arrested and Charges:
• Austin Eckes, 18, Vincennes, IN
1. Resisting Law Enforcement
2. Theft,
3. Reckless Driving
Driver and Injured Passenger Information:
2007 Chrysler Pacifica: (Driver) Klarissa Wright, 20, Petersburg, IN
(Passenger) Kia Wright,16, Petersburg, IN
2007 Chrysler 300: (Driver) Joseph Davis, 63, Petersburg, IN
(Passenger) Sandra Davis, 55, Petersburg, IN
2015 GMC Sierra: (Driver) Anthony Berry, 29, Washington, IN
Investigating Officer: Sergeant Tom Weber, Indiana State Police
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All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
