UPDATE: I-69 chase that started just south of Bloomington ends in standoff; truck fire later went out

UPDATE: 89-mile I-69 pursuit that started south of Bloomington ends in Gibson County; two arrested

Indiana State Police say an 89-mile pursuit that began just south of Bloomington Tuesday morning ended in Gibson County with two people arrested after a trooper stopped a speeding pickup on I-69.

According to ISP, Senior Trooper Jeremy Cox was patrolling I-69 near the 117 mile-marker at about 9:49 a.m. (EST) when he attempted to stop a blue 2022 Chevrolet Silverado for traveling 83 mph in a 65-mph zone. Police said the driver refused to stop and continued southbound, with the truck reaching speeds over 100 mph.

During the chase, troopers said they observed the driver and passenger discarding a substance from inside the vehicle multiple times.

ISP said troopers and Gibson County Sheriff’s deputies deployed stop sticks near the 39 mile-marker, deflating at least two tires. The driver continued south at a slower speed until a trooper performed a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) near the 25 mile-marker, sending the Silverado off the roadway and to a stop in the median.

ISP said the driver and passenger were arrested without further incident and taken to the Monroe County Jail. Troopers reported finding a small amount of suspected meth inside the truck. The investigation remains ongoing.

Arrested (ISP):

• Geonovan M. Bailey, 27, Evansville

  Tiona E. Monie Sullivan, 25, Evansville

Charges listed by ISP:

• Resisting Law Enforcement (Level 6 felony)

  Possession of Meth (Level 6 felony)

  Obstruction of Justice (Level 6 felony)

All criminal defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

A high-speed chase that began just south of Bloomington on I-69 near the 114-mile marker Tuesday morning ended about 40 minutes later with a pursuit stop, a standoff, and a vehicle fire that eventually went out, according to Indiana State Police radio traffic.

The pursuit involved a blue Chevrolet Silverado with Kentucky plates. Troopers said three people were initially believed to be in the truck, and dispatch traffic indicated the occupants were throwing “product” out of the vehicle during the chase. Speeds were repeatedly described as over 100 mph.

Timeline from ISP radio traffic:

• 9:47 a.m.: Chase begins near the 114-mile marker south of Bloomington.
• 10:32–10:33 a.m.: Troopers deploy stop sticks — two front tires reported down.
• 10:35 a.m.: Dispatch traffic indicated the Silverado struck an ISP vehicle during an attempted maneuver.
• 10:39–10:40 a.m.: The truck, reported out of control after additional tire strikes, is pitted into the median and stopped.
• 10:42 a.m.: Troopers report two occupants refusing to exit; northbound traffic blocked and SWAT requested.
• 10:45 a.m.: The vehicle was reported on fire near the 25.5-mile marker.
• Afterward: The fire eventually went out, based on subsequent updates from the scene.
• State Police said the driver “speaks English, and there are no kids in the car.” – 11:02 a.m.

At last report, one person was in custody, while troopers were still working to get full compliance from the remaining occupants and maintain safety around the vehicle.

Motorists should expect significant traffic impacts along I-69 in the area as police continue the investigation and work to reopen lanes.

Developing: This story will be updated as Indiana State Police release confirmed details, including arrests, injuries (if any), and what was thrown from the truck during the pursuit.

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