CLAY CO.– Detectives from the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post are currently investigating an officer-involved shooting incident that occurred on April 15, 2025, at approximately 5:50 p.m., near State Road 42 just west of State Road 59.
According to preliminary investigations, the incident began when deputies of the Clay County Sheriff’s Department and troopers of the Putnamville State Police Post were dispatched to a fueling station located near the intersection of State Road 59 and State Road 42. The dispatch was in response to a report from off-duty Knightsville Town Marshall Michael Heaton, who had located a reportedly stolen U-Haul at that location.
Upon arrival, officers from the State Police and the Clay County Sheriff’s Department attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the U-Haul. The driver allegedly disregarded the officers’ attempts and proceeded west on State Road 42 for approximately one mile before turning south onto a private drive.
The U-Haul came to an initial stop, and a female exited the vehicle and fled on foot. As officers attempted to deploy stop sticks near the U-Haul’s tires, the driver continued traveling south down the private lane.
The vehicle stopped a second time, and negotiators began speaking with the driver while again attempting to deploy stop sticks. Suddenly, the driver reportedly put the vehicle in reverse, nearly striking a Clay County Deputy and colliding with three Clay County patrol vehicles. The driver then put the U-Haul back into drive and continued down the private lane, eventually turning the vehicle around and stopping for a third time, now facing north.
Negotiations with the driver continued for approximately ninety minutes, with the assistance of Clay County Sheriff Bryson Swearingen. The situation escalated when the driver allegedly put the vehicle into drive and accelerated at a high rate of speed directly towards a fully marked State Police vehicle. Two troopers were positioned next to this vehicle in defensive positions.
The U-Haul collided with the State Police vehicle, reportedly throwing one trooper into the air. At this point, officers from the Terre Haute Police Department and the Clay County Sheriff’s Department discharged their firearms at the driver of the U-Haul, striking him.
Once the U-Haul came to a stop, the Terre Haute Special Response Trauma Team immediately provided medical assistance to the driver, identified as Dale L. Evans, age 47, of Terre Haute, Indiana. The driver was transported to a hospital in Indianapolis via Lifeline Air Ambulance. The female who exited the vehicle earlier was transported to the Clay County Jail for questioning and has since been released.
One trooper was transported to a local hospital in Terre Haute with non-life-threatening injuries sustained from the collision.
In accordance with standard procedure for officer-involved shootings, all officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave.
Detectives Colton Maynor, Don Curtis, and Ryan Winters are conducting the Indiana State Police investigation, with the assistance of Lieutenant Jeff Hearon, Sergeant Michael Featherling, First Sergeant Brian Maudlin, CSI Sergeant Tim Rader, and CSI Sergeant Michael Organ, all of the Putnamville State Police Post.
The Terre Haute Police Department Special Response Team, Conservation Officers of the Department of Natural Resources, Posey Volunteer Fire Department, and Lifeline Air ambulance assisted agencies at the scene.
This is an active and ongoing investigation by the Indiana State Police. No further information is being released at this time. Upon completing their investigation, Indiana State Police detectives will submit a full report of the incident to the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office for review and determination of any potential charges.
