NEW:
Today the St. Joseph Co. Prosecutor's office released new information in the pursuit and fatal crash from Friday that followed a police chase. The driver police were chasing is still at large and has not been named, but some of the others who were riding with him have been charged. Charging documents provide some more clues as to why police may have been chasing the vehicle in the first place. The documents indicate that those who have been arrested are accused of having a role in setting up a meeting with a victim by using Tinder with a plan to to lure the victim in with the promise of exchanging sex for money, but once the victim gave over the money, to run away with it before any sexual activity took place. The victim told police he dove from his own moving vehicle for fear of being murdered.
Here is more from the latest release:
St. Joseph County- The St. Joseph County Fatal Crash Team (FACT) continues its investigation into the fatal crash that occurred on February 7, 2020, at McKinley Avenue and Fir Road in which a driver fleeing from police struck a Toyota Camry.
The driver of the Toyota Camry, who was pronounced deceased at the scene, has been identified as John F. Riedle, 58, of South Bend.
The passenger of the Camry has been identified as Laszlo A. Nemeth, 58, of South Bend.
He remains in the hospital and suffered a serious chest injury requiring chest tubes and a ventilator. At last update he was in serious condition but expected to survive.
The driver of the Jeep, which was fleeing police and struck the Camry, has not been identified or apprehended. He has been described as a black male wearing a dark jacket or sweatshirt and grey sweatpants; he fled from the scene on foot.
There were four passengers in the Jeep, three of which were treated for minor injuries. Of thesepassengers, three passengers were detained and charged with unrelated crimes.
Sedgwick Rashawn Jackson, 19, was charged in a two count information for events that occurred on or about January 21, 2020. He is charged with:
Count I: Aiding, Inducing or Causing Armed Robbery a Level 3 Felony
Count II: Aiding, Inducing or Causing Kidnapping a Level 2 Felony
Probable cause was found. He was ordered held until his initial bail hearing and remains in the custody of the St. Joseph County Jail. His initial bail hearing is scheduled for this afternoon, February 10th, at 1:00 p.m. (Traffic & Misdemeanor Courtroom, 1855 Courthouse, 112 S. Lafayette Blvd, South Bend).
Janelle Samari Fritz, 19, was charged in a two count information in connection with events that occurred on or about January 21, 2020. She is charged with:
Count I: Aiding, Inducing or Causing Armed Robbery a Level 3 Felony
Count II: Aiding, Inducing or Causing Kidnapping a Level 2 Felony Probable cause was found.
She was ordered held until her initial bail hearing and remains in the custody of the St. Joseph County Jail. Her initial bail hearing is scheduled for this afternoon, February 10th, at 1:00 p.m. (Traffic & Misdemeanor Courtroom, 1855 Courthouse, 112 S. Lafayette Blvd, South Bend).
Makayla Roundtree, 19, was charged in a one count information in connection with events that occurred on or about January 21, 2020. She is charged with:
Count I: Armed Robbery a Level 3 Felony
Probable cause was found. She was ordered held until her initial bail hearing and remains in the custody of the St. Joseph County Jail. Her initial bail hearing is scheduled for this afternoon, February 10th, at 1:00 p.m. (Traffic & Misdemeanor Courtroom, 1855 Courthouse, 112 S. Lafayette Blvd, South Bend).
A fourth passenger in the Jeep, Deshaun Shields, 24, was arrested on a warrant for unrelated charges (cause no. 71D07-2002-CM-000316) and released on his own recognizance.
FACT continues to actively investigate. Anyone with information on the identity of the driver of the Jeep is asked to call FACT at 574-235-5438.
ORIGINAL POST:
MISHAWAKA, Ind. (AP) — A motorist has been killed in northwestern Indiana after a car was struck by a stolen SUV whose driver was fleeing police.
State police say a trooper attempted to pull over the SUV about 7:30 p.m. Friday after seeing it travel about 99 mph near the Elkhart and St. Joseph county line.
Other officers joined the pursuit and as they stopped at an intersection to allow traffic to clear the SUV’s driver ran a stoplight and crashed into a Toyota Camry in Mishawaka.
The Camry’s driver was killed and a passenger in the car was hurt. The driver of the SUV ran away and escaped, but three of his passengers were hospitalized with minor injuries.
Read the full ISP release here:
St Joseph County- Tonight a fleeing driver refused to stop for an Indiana State Trooper and ultimately crashed, killing one.
Around 7:24 p.m. on February 7, 2020 an Indiana State trooper saw a white Jeep Cherokee traveling eastbound US 20 Bypass at 99 miles per hour, near the Elkhart/St. Joseph County line. The trooper caught up to the Jeep and activated the lights and siren on his marked Indiana State Police car but the Jeep failed to stop. As the Jeep exited at SR 19 it was learned that the Jeep was stolen. The Jeep traveled north into Elkhart and several officers with the Elkhart City Police Department assisted. The Jeep led officers through southern and western Elkhart before ultimately heading westbound on Old US 20.
The Jeep continued westbound into St. Joseph County on McKinley Avenue, disregarding several stoplights. As the officers stopped at Home Street to let traffic clear the intersection, the Jeep continued westbound, disregarded the stoplight at Fir Road and collided with a green Toyota Camry that was travelling southbound on Fir Road. The crash happened at approximately 7:39 p.m.
The Jeep struck the Toyota in the driver side door, killing the driver. The lone passenger in the Toyota was transported to Memorial Hospital in South Bend with serious injuries. The driver of the Jeep, described as a black male wearing a dark jacket or sweatshirt and grey sweatpants, fled on foot. Three passengers in the Jeep were transported Memorial Hospital with minor injuries. A fourth passenger in the Jeep was detained and questioned.
Two Indiana State Police K9 units attempted to track the driver of the stolen Jeep but were unable to locate the driver. Anyone with information on the identity of the driver of the Jeep is asked to call the Indiana State Police at 574-546-4900.
The St. Joseph County Fact Team is conducting the crash reconstruction and will release the identity of the injured and deceased at a later time.