TH man arrested after speeding away from ISP during traffic stop

ICN file photo

Powers/ Vigo Co. Jail

By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

A Terre Haute man is facing multiple charges after fleeing  police  during a traffic stop on the city's north side early this morning.

Steven D. Powers, 27, was ultimately apprehended on Barbour Avenue -- more than an hour after the pursuit began. He was booked into the Vigo County Jail and charged with resisting law enforcement, criminal recklessness, reckless driving, driving while suspended (prior) and criminal mischief. The suspect's vehicle, a blue Chevrolet pickup, was impounded. 

Just after midnight, Indiana State Police Trooper Rondell Shelton attempted to stop the pickup truck for speeding, northbound on N. 25th Street near Eighth Avenue. He reportedly was going 45mph in a 30mph zone, 

As Shelton exited his patrol car near the initial stop at Maple Avenue, the driver fled northbound on N. 25th Street and traveled west onto Maple Avenue, ISP Sgt. Joe Watts said, noting Powers continued over railroad tracks at N. 19th Street before veering off onto a dirt road --stirring up excess dust and rocks to block visibility by following police cars.

"The driver was able to evade Trooper Shelton due to the dust and loss of visibility for Shelton. The acceleration of the suspect vehicle caused numerous rocks to strike Shelton’s patrol car damaging the windshield and other car body components," Watts explained.

Terre Haute Police officers eventually located the suspect vehicle abandoned near N. 29th Street and Collette Street. THPD received information about the whereabouts of the driver and relayed the information to the troopers a short time later, according to the report.
 
 Troopers Justin Bell and Courtland Woodruff and the Terre Haute Police Department assisted at the scene.

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