VIGO CO. – On Friday, March 28, at approximately 6:20 p.m., Trooper Tyler Turchi stopped a passenger vehicle on Maple Avenue near 19th Street because the driver was not wearing a seatbelt. The driver was identified as Edwin B. Phillips, 69, of Terre Haute.
Trooper Turchi detected the odor of alcoholic beverage from Phillips. Several field sobriety tests were administered, and Phillips failed each test.
While Trooper Turchi was retrieving an article from his commission to assist with the OWI investigation, Phillips returned to his vehicle, locked the doors, and drove away. Trooper Turchi returned to his commission, and a small pursuit ensued through the alleys of Terre Haute, finally ending when Phillips stopped behind a residence and exited his vehicle.
Trooper Turchi pursued Phillips on foot, giving loud verbal commands for him to stop, but Phillips disregarded the commands and continued walking away. It was at this time that Trooper Turchi deployed his taser, striking Phillips and immediately taking him into custody. Once Phillips was placed on his feet, he lunged towards and kicked Trooper Turchi.
Phillips was taken to a local hospital where he was medically cleared. He was then taken to the Vigo County Jail, where he is detained on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a prior conviction, resisting law enforcement with a car, battery against a public safety official, and resisting arrest.
Assisting Troopers: Caleb Hughes and Gerald Stump of the Putnamville State Police Post.
All criminal defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
