CLAY CO. – Dale L. Evans, 47, of Poland, was taken into custody Monday afternoon after being released from the hospital. The arrest, made by Indiana State Police Trooper Kyle Hall at approximately 12:44 p.m., stems from an officer-involved shooting incident on April 15th. Evans is now lodged in the Clay County Jail on bond.
He faces multiple felony charges, including: Battery on a Public Official (Level 5), Intimidation with a Deadly Weapon (Level 5), Auto Theft (Level 5), Criminal Recklessness while Armed with a Deadly Weapon (Level 6), Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle (Level 6), and Criminal Mischief (Level 6).
The April 15th incident unfolded near State Road 42 west of State Road 59. Authorities responded to a report of a stolen U-Haul, spotted by an off-duty Knightsville Police Department Town Marshal. Evans, the driver, allegedly disregarded attempts to initiate a traffic stop, leading officers on a brief pursuit.
According to authorities, during the encounter, Evans is accused of nearly hitting a Clay County Deputy with the U-Haul, striking three patrol vehicles, and later accelerating directly towards a State Police vehicle, colliding with it and injuring a trooper. This led to officers from the Terre Haute Police Department and the Clay County Sheriff’s Department firing at Evans, wounding him.
Following the shooting, Evans received on-scene medical attention and was airlifted to an Indianapolis hospital. A female who exited the vehicle earlier was questioned and subsequently released. The injured trooper was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The Indiana State Police Putnamville Post is leading the ongoing investigation into the incident, with assistance from various agencies.
