Indiana State Police Investigate Officer-Involved Shooting Following U-Haul Pursuit in Clay County

Written from press release

CLAY COUNTY, Ind. — A police pursuit involving a reportedly stolen U-Haul truck ended in an officer-involved shooting Tuesday evening, according to the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post.

The incident began around 5:50 p.m. on April 15 near the intersection of State Roads 42 and 59. Off-duty Knightsville Town Marshal Michael Heaton spotted the stolen U-Haul at a fueling station, prompting a response from Clay County Sheriff’s deputies and Indiana State Police troopers.

When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver fled west on SR 42, then turned south onto a private drive. A female passenger fled the vehicle on foot, while officers attempted to use stop sticks to disable the vehicle. Before they could be deployed, the U-Haul continued down the lane.

After briefly stopping a second time, officers attempted negotiations with the driver. However, the suspect suddenly reversed the truck, nearly hitting a deputy and colliding with three patrol vehicles. The U-Haul then drove forward again before stopping a third time, this time facing north.

A standoff and negotiation lasting approximately 90 minutes followed, involving Clay County Sheriff Bryson Swearingen. The situation escalated when the driver accelerated toward a marked Indiana State Police vehicle, striking it and throwing a nearby trooper into the air.

At that point, officers from the Terre Haute Police Department and Clay County Sheriff’s Department opened fire, striking the driver. The driver, identified as 47-year-old Dale L. Evans of Terre Haute, received immediate medical aid from the Terre Haute Special Response Trauma Team and was flown to an Indianapolis hospital via Lifeline air ambulance.

One Indiana State Police trooper was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries sustained during the collision. The female passenger was taken into custody for questioning and later released.

All officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, following standard procedure.

The Indiana State Police are leading the investigation, with assistance from several agencies, including the Terre Haute Police Special Response Team, Indiana Conservation Officers, the Posey Volunteer Fire Department, and Lifeline Air Ambulance.

Upon completion, the case will be forwarded to the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office for review. No further information is available at this time.

The post Indiana State Police Investigate Officer-Involved Shooting Following U-Haul Pursuit in Clay County first appeared on The Bloomingtonian.