(Ripley/Jefferson Counties, IN) – A Madison man was arrested following a two-county vehicle pursuit that began in Ripley County last Friday evening.
The Ripley County Sheriff’s Office says deputies were dispatched to a home in the area of Benham Road and County Road 450 South around 6:50 pm for an unwanted man at the residence.
Deputies arrived at the scene and saw a vehicle matching a description provided by Ripley County Communications speed away from the scene.
They attempted a traffic stop but the vehicle driven by 39-year-old Phillip Duarte continued westbound on County Road 450 into New Marion and then south on Old Michigan Road.
Investigators say speeds reached over 100 miles per hour.
The pursuit continued south on U.S. 421 and into Jefferson County, where deputies employed a tire deflation device at 421 and State Road 250.
Deputies say, despite his tires being deflated, Duarte continued driving in Jefferson County and hit another tire deflation device at the intersection of U.S. 421 and Michigan Road.
Duarte then traveled south and crossed through the intersection of Clifty Drive and Michigan Road before ending up at a home on Fairmount Drive in Madison.
The sheriff’s office says Duarte left the car, refused to obey law enforcement commands, and tried to flee on foot but was taken to the ground with the use of a taser and placed in handcuffs.
Investigators day the chase lasted 30 minutes.
Duarte is facing preliminary charges of Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle (Level 5 felony); OWI Endangering; OWI Greater than .115% (both Class A misdemeanors); OWI, and Reckless Driving (both Class C misdemeanors).
The Ripley County Sheriff’s Office received assistance from the Osgood Police Department; Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office; Madison Police Department; Ripley County Communications, and Jefferson County Dispatch Center.
