Full Notification

Bartholomew County: A Florida man was arrested after leading Indiana State Police troopers on a 10-mile vehicle pursuit. Ian Colson 32, of Jacksonville, Florida was arrested after the chase ended with a crash on US 31 north of SR 7.

According to Senior Trooper Tami Watson, around 6:35 AM a Bartholomew County Sheriff Department dispatcher recieved a 911 complaint of a male and a female fighting inside of a car near CR 200 N and CR 500 E, east of Columbus. While enroute to the complaint, Trooper Watson observed the vehicle in question and tried to initiate a traffic stop on CR 650 E. Colson speeds up and drives away. Trooper Watson follows Colson as he turns west onto CR 50 N from CR 650 E. The chase continued west on CR 50 N where at one point Colson travels into oncoming traffic and attempts to strike an on-coming motorist while traveling over 80 mph. Colson continued west on CR 50 N at a high rate of speed past Clifty Elementary School. Colson disregarded the stop sign and turned south on US 31 from CR 50 N. The pursuit continued south on US 31 where Colson passed a stopped school bus about to load children in front of Woodlawn Mobile Home Park. Traffic on US 31 was extremely heavy at this time. The chase continued south on US 31 where at one point Colson attempted to use his car to ram Trooper Owsley's cruiser while they traveled beside each other. The pursuit continued south on US 31 where Colson ran the red light at US 31 and SR 46. Colson continued south on US 31 and drove into a parking area on the west side of the road, circled around it and traveled back onto US 31 where he struck an Indiana State Police cruiser driven by Trooper David Owsley. Trooper Watson used her patrol vehicle to pin Colson's vehicle against Trooper Owsley's cruiser and prevent it from escaping. The troopers drew their guns and ordered Colson out of the car. Colson refused to get out of the car or display his hands. The troopers eventually busted out the car window and forcibly removed Colson from the vehicle and took him into custody without further incident.

Trooper Watson was transported by ambulance to Columbus Regional Hospital where she was treated for injury to her arm and hand and then released. Trooper Owsley was not injured. Both Trooper Watson's and Trooper Owsley's cruisers sustained extensive damage as a result of the collision and were towed away from the scene.

Colson was not injured and was transported by Columbus Police to the Bartholomew County Jail. Colson was booked into the jail facing a count of Resisting Law Enforcement-fleeing in a vehicle, a Level 6 Felony, Resisting Law Enforcement-refusal to exit vehicle, a Level 6 Felony and Driving a vehicle as a Habitual traffic Violator, a Level 6 Felony. This incident remains an active investigation which may result in Colson facing additional charges.

Assisting Trooper Tami Watson and Trooper David Owsley during this incident was Senior Trooper Ed Olibo, Trooper Brent Lykins, Master Trooper James Ponsler, Hope Police Department, Columbus Police Department, Bartholomew County Sheriff Department, Columbus Regional Hospital EMS and Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

WALKER