Chicago man arrested after fleeing from ISP trooper, crashing on U.S. 30

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY/MARSHALL COUNTY, Ind. (WNDU) - A Chicago man was arrested on Thursday after leading Indiana State Police on a chase that spanned two counties.

Trooper Jeff Wampler attempted to stop a gray 2018 Chrysler 300 after it failed to move over or slow down, as required by law, as it passed by him on a traffic stop westbound on U.S. 30, just west of County Road 500 West, just after 11:50 a.m.

When Wampler caught up to the Chrysler, he was able to determine that the license plate did not match the Chrysler. When he turned on his emergency lights on his unmarked Dodge Charger, the driver of the Chrysler refused to stop and sped up to speeds of over 100 miles per hour as it continued westbound on U.S. 30, eventually entering Marshall County.

A trooper was successfully able to deploy stop sticks near Iris Road, flattening both driver side tires. This did not stop the driver of the Chrysler, which continued to flee westbound. Stop sticks were deployed once again near King Road, deflating the front passenger tire.

The driver of the Chrysler continued to flee westbound while driving on three rims. The driver of the Chrysler hit another set of stop sticks near the overpass for State Road 17, but continued to flee westbound.

The driver of the Chrysler tried to pass a semi on the right side near Oak Road and lost control of the vehicle. It went into a ditch and hit two signs before rolling onto its roof.

The driver, identified as Merieal Tolbert, 28, of Chicago, was safely taken into custody. He was taken to the hospital to be medically cleared before he was taken to the Kosciusko County Jail.

Police say the Chrysler was reported stolen out of Fort Wayne.

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