Vigo County—The Putnamville District of the Indiana State Police sought help from local media outlets and the general public in locating a driver who fled the scene from an alleged speed contest in downtown Terre Haute. Local media disseminated the suspect and suspect vehicle information and citizens came through with a viable tip that allowed Master Trooper Jason Owen to locate the suspected driver and vehicle this evening.
The investigation is ongoing and additional information will be released as it becomes available.
This morning around 9:25, on duty Indiana State Police Master Trooper Jason Owen observed two vehicles southbound on US 41 (3rd Street in Terre Haute) just north of Voorhees Street that appeared to be drag racing. Owen radar clocked the vehicles at 90 miles-per-hour in a 40mph zone.
Owen was able to catch both vehicles and told the white male driver of a Dodge Avenger to stay put on the lot of a local convenience store and he (Owen) would be right back. The driver of the Dodge Avenger gave an affirmative nod and appeared to wait. Owen then crossed the street to the parking lot of a food establishment and quickly issued a Reckless Driving summons to 29-year-old, Michael E. Wagle of Terre Haute, IN. Wagle was driving a white 1996 Subaru station wagon. At some point during the issuing of a summons to Wagle, the driver of the Dodge Avenger left northbound on US 41 (3rd Street).
Indiana State Police were looking for the driver, a white male, early to mid-thirties and a beard. The suspect vehicle is believed to be a black, 2000 to 2005, two-door, Dodge Avenger, with a temporary (paper) plate displayed in the rear.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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