The driver of a 2004 blue Ford Explorer crashed and flipped the SUV during a 1.5 mile police pursuit on December 7, 2022, in Bloomington, Indiana.
A Bloomington Police Department officer pulled over the vehicle for a traffic infraction because the license plate was surrounded by blue LED lights, according to the BPD. Blue is one of several colors that are reserved for first responders.
The officer soon realized the driver had given false identification and date of birth. As the officer was determining the identification of the driver, the SUV sped away westbound from the 1100 block of West Second Street at a high rate of speed. The driver was swerving in between vehicles during the pursuit.
The officer began to pursue the vehicle, and the driver soon lost control and crashed near the intersection of West Bloomfield Road and Basswood. The SUV flipped at least once during the crash.
There were no injuries in the collision, and the driver exited the vehicle and was taken into custody.
Inside the crashed vehicle police found a small amount of what is believed to be methamphetamine, some syringes, a glass pipe, and what is suspected to be marijuana.
The 37-year-old driver is facing preliminary charges: habitual traffic offender, a level 6 felony; resisting law enforcement, a level 6 felony; possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony; possession of marijuana, an A misdemeanor; false identity statement, an A misdemeanor; reckless driving, a B misdemeanor; and possession of a syringe, a C misdemeanor.
