TIPPECANOE COUNTY – Late yesterday evening, an Indiana State Police trooper initiated a pursuit of a sport bike, resulting in the apprehension and jailing of a 36-year-old Redford, Michigan man.
At approximately 9:46 p.m., Indiana State Police were notified by the Boone County Communications Center of a reckless driving sport bike traveling northbound on Interstate 65.
Shortly after being notified, Trooper Devin Farmer observed the sport bike, a 2014 Suzuki GSX-R1000, traveling northbound at 110 mph near the 169mm, and attempted to conduct a traffic stop after the bike exited onto State Road 26 at the 172mm. The operator of the bike, Damian Martin, pulled into a parking lot just west of I-65, as if he were going to stop. As soon as Trooper Farmer exited his police car, Martin fled, and a pursuit was initiated.
The pursuit entered southbound I-65 and exited and re-entered I-65 at the 168mm (SR-38), and then the 158mm (SR-28), where it went back northbound. Troopers pursued the bike at high speed before it exited again at the 172mm and headed southbound. The pursuit continued on I-65 to the southbound rest area near the 150mm, where Martin parked the bike between two semi-trailers and attempted to hide under one of them. Troopers quickly located Martin and took him into custody. Martin was transported to IU Arnett Hospital in Lafayette for a chemical test before being transported to and lodged in the Tippecanoe County Jail.
Martin was cited for several traffic infractions and arrested on the following charges:
- Resisting Law Enforcement, Level 6 Felony
- Resisting Law Enforcement, Creates a Substantial Risk of Injury, Level 6 Felony
- Criminal Recklessness (Aggressive Driving), Level 6 Felony
- Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor
- Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated – Endangerment, Class A Misdemeanor
- Controlled Substance – Possession Schedule 1, Class C Misdemeanor
Trooper Farmer was assisted by other troopers from the Lafayette Post, Boone County Sheriff’s Office, Lebanon Police Department, Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office, and Paddack’s Wrecker Service.
