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Bloomfield Man Facing Charges After High-Speed Pursuit

Last updated on Monday, November 21, 2016

(BLOOMFIELD) - A Bloomfield man had a warrant issued for his arrest after allegedly resisting law enforcement and operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

Andrew Christman of the Greene County Daily World reports that according to a probable cause filed by Deputy Marshal Wayman Blazier, the driver of a vehicle, 30-year-old Andrew Rippy, was traveling recklessly on North Bruce Drive on November 5.

"The vehicle began sliding on the blacktop roadway and crossed the center potion of the roadway," Blazier wrote. "The vehicle continued to slide around the corner and the back wheels were half in the roadway and in the ditch on the far side of the corner just ahead of our location."

The vehicle reportedly made an abrupt lane change, almost striking Blazier's vehicle while conducting a traffic stop.

"I advised the operator of the vehicle to stop and Rippy yelled out the window 'Sorry' and then continued without stopping per my directions," Blazier wrote. "The vehicle then sped away at a high rate of speed driving recklessly all over the roadway."

Blazier reportedly lost sight of Rippy's vehicle and relocated it turning at the intersection of State Road 445 and State Road 45, turning north towards Bloomington without signaling.

"As I got behind Rippy's vehicle I initiated my emergency lights and siren to stop the vehicle. The vehicle then sped up behind a vehicle following too closely and then passed said vehicle and a second in a no passing zone and on a corner where visibility was limited," Blazier wrote. "When Rippy passed the two vehicles, (he) failed to yield the right away of the oncoming vehicle, forcing said vehicle on the south bound land of State Road 45 off the roadway, almost causing an accident."

The speed of the pursuit was reportedly over 100 mph in a 50 mph speed zone.

"Rippy continually swerved back and forth over the center line and the white fog line recklessly and without due regard for safety of the other vehicles on the road way," Blazier wrote.

Blazier added he lost sight of Rippy's vehicle after turning onto Sparks Road and informed dispatch he canceled his pursuit.

"As I rounded another corner on Sparks road, I then located a set of tire marks in the grass along the south side of the road way. I followed the tire marks and then located Rippy's vehicle in the woods on its driver's side of the vehicle," Blazier wrote.

Emergency Medical Services were dispatched to the location and Greene County Sheriff's Department Officer Chris Anderson also arrived on scene.

"As I pulled up the accident I could hear a female screaming for help," Blazier wrote. "As I and Officer Anderson ran up to the vehicle, I noticed the female was lying on top of Rippy. Rippy was unconscious and pinned under the steering column and still in the driver's seat. There was no airbag deployment in the vehicle."

Officers and personnel were able to remove the female from the vehicle, who reportedly complained of a broken foot and pain in her chest. Blazier returned to the vehicle and reportedly noticed a glass half-pint vodka bottle wedged in the center console of the vehicle. Officers on scene attempted to make contact with Rippy.

"After several attempts, Rippy became responsive and irritated," Blazier wrote. "Rippy became angry and continually stated that he wanted to go home."

Rippy reportedly grabbed the vodka bottle and threw it out of the vehicle.

"While speaking to Rippy I could smell a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath and person," Blazier wrote.

Rippy then freed his leg and crawled out of the passenger door window of the vehicle, reportedly becoming combative and argumentative with officers.

"As Rippy stood up I noticed that he had an orange cap of a syringe in his right hand. I advised the other officers of the syringe in Rippy's hand and then Rippy threw the syringe to the floor," Blazier wrote.

Rippy and the female were transported to IU Health Bloomington. Inspection of the vehicle revealed more syringes located in the floor board of the vehicle and the females purse.

Rippy was interviewed by Blazier at IU Health Bloomington.

"After I read Rippy his Miranda Rights, Rippy was asked why he was running from me and he stated that he was being stupid," Blazier wrote. "Rippy stated that he had been drinking and he was drinking the half-pint bottle of vodka that was located in the seat of the vehicle.

"I asked why he didn't stop when i told him to at the original location where he almost struck myself and the other officer while we were on a traffic stop. Rippy stated we had jumped out in front of him."

Rippy reportedly stated he didn't hear officers telling him to stop and didn't want to stop because he had been drinking.

"When asked about the syringes that were found in the vehicle he stated that he uses it to ingest methamphetamine. Rippy stated (the female) had asked him to stop during the pursuit several times and he continued to flee from the police," Blazier wrote. "Rippy stated he was sorry for the accident."

The female reportedly stated Rippy said he was not going back to jail and she told him to quit and stop several times. She also stated the syringes were all new and the two of them had been trying to get back to her residence.

Rippy is being charged with Class A misdemeanor operating while intoxicated endangering a person, Class C misdemeanor operating a vehicle while intoxicated, Level 6 Felony causing serious injury operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, Level 6 Felony resisting law enforcement but the defendant draws or uses a deadly weapon, Level 6 Felony criminal recklessness and Level 6 Felony unlawful possession of a syringe.

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