TIPPECANOE/CLINTON COUNTY – On March 20, 2026, during the evening hours, Indiana State Police troopers conducted a targeted patrol on Interstate 65 focusing on reckless and aggressive driving.
Just after 7:30 p.m., Trooper Walters was patrolling near the 172-mile marker, in the area of State Road 26, when he attempted to stop an Infiniti G35 for a traffic violation and for not displaying a license plate. The driver of the Infiniti failed to stop and continued southbound on I-65, initiating a pursuit.
The pursuit continued to the 158-mile marker, where the Infiniti exited onto State Road 28 and traveled eastbound. The driver then turned around and proceeded westbound on State Road 28 before turning onto County Line Road. The pursuit briefly continued on several county roads before the Infiniti returned to State Road 28 and traveled eastbound toward I-65.
At that time, officers with the Frankfort Police Department successfully deployed a tire deflation device, which the Infiniti struck. The driver then entered I-65 northbound from State Road 28. Trooper Walters conducted a PIT maneuver, causing the Infiniti to leave the roadway on the east side of the entrance ramp.
The driver then attempted to flee by driving the wrong way down the entrance ramp in the Infiniti, nearly striking a trooper who was outside of their vehicle. The Infiniti then struck a State Police vehicle and continued to flee. A second PIT maneuver was subsequently conducted, bringing the pursuit to an end. The driver and passengers were safely taken into custody.
During the investigation, Trooper Walters located suspected THC devices inside the Infiniti and gathered information indicating the driver was operating the vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance. The driver, Christopher Shipp, 18, of Aurora, Illinois, was transported to the Clinton County Jail on charges of two counts of attempted battery against a public safety official, Level 5 felonies, two counts of criminal confinement, Level 5 felonies, resisting arrest with a vehicle, a Level 6 felony, aggressive driving, a Class A misdemeanor, criminal recklessness, a Class A misdemeanor, operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangerment, a Class C misdemeanor, reckless driving causing property damage, a Class B misdemeanor, possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor, operating a vehicle under a controlled substance, a Class C misdemeanor.
Both passengers were released at the scene.
Troopers will continue to conduct high-visibility enforcement patrols on major roadways, including Interstate 65 and Interstate 74, throughout the remainder of the weekend. These patrols are focused on identifying and removing dangerous drivers from the roadway, with an emphasis on speeding, impaired driving, and aggressive behavior.
Trooper Walters was assisted by additional troopers from the Lafayette Post, as well as officers from the Frankfort Police Department, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent until proven guilty through a fair and due legal process. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
