FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – Fort Wayne Police Department officials say that a 19-year-old is facing charges after running from police and crashing on Wednesday.
It started when an officer tried to stop the car at Colerick and Holton. The FWPD says that it was for a traffic violation initially.
The vehicle took off and the FWPD says that a gun was thrown from the vehicle on Reed Street that was later recovered.
Officers continued to follow the car before it struck multiple cars at the Northside intersection of Lake Avenue and North Anthony Boulevard.
Police said that several people were hurt but all are expected to recover.
At that point, the suspect’s vehicle was not operable and the man tried to flee on foot. Police eventually caught up with the suspect identified as Justice T. Smith, 19. He is now facing several charges connected to the incident.
The FWPD released the following:
On May 31, 2023 at approximately 5:37pm in the area of Colerick St. and Holton Ave. A Fort Wayne Police Officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle for a traffic violation. The vehicle fled and a pursuit ensued. During the pursuit, the suspect vehicle fled North on Anthony and struck several vehicles at the intersection of Lake Ave. and Anthony Blvd. causing injury to some of the vehicles’ occupants. All injuries were non-life threatening. After hitting multiple vehicles, which disabled the suspect’s vehicle, the suspect driver then fled on foot and was eventually apprehended by FWPD officers. A gun was discarded from the suspect vehicle during the pursuit and was found at 2100 Reed St. The driver of the suspect vehicle, Justice Smith was arrested. There were three other individuals in the suspect vehicle at the time of the pursuit who were released.
Details/Summary:
Suspect Arrested #1: Justice T. Smith, 19 years of age
Preliminary Charges: Resisting Law Enforcement-Fleeing in vehicle (Felony)
Preliminary Charges: Resisting Law Enforcement-Fleeing on foot (Misd.)
Preliminary Charges: Leaving the Scene of a Crash Causing Bodily Injury (Misd)
Preliminary Charges: Possession of Marijuana (Misd)