Fatal Crash After Police Pursuit Terminated Monday
On Monday 11/16/2020 at approximately 5:50AM Merrillville Police units responded to a call for trespassing at the 6700 Block of Broadway, according to Merrillville Police.
When officers arrived on scene, they were met by a complainant who pointed out the vehicle in question. Officers walked up to the vehicle in an attempt to speak with the driver however the driver accelerated and fled from officers onto Broadway, where he almost collided with another vehicle. Merrillville Officers continued to attempt to stop the vehicle before the driver caused an accident. However the driver refused to stop and led officers on a pursuit. The driver headed into oncoming traffic on Broadway nearly missing several cars and a pedestrian. Due to the driver’s excessive speeding, erratic driving and possibility of causing an accident, the Merrillville supervisor in charge ordered the pursuit to be terminated. After reviewing body worn camera footage, it was determined that officers terminated the pursuit somewhere between 45th Avenue to 43rd Avenue on Broadway, Police told RNS.
The suspect vehicle continued North on Broadway without police following through Gary where he crashed into a building near the IUN campus and striking a contractor who was outside of his vehicle. The suspect then fled on foot and was apprehended by Gary Police a short time later. The male victim died from his injuries on scene. The Lake County Coroner has identified the victim as Jacob Moore, 29, of Rensselaer.
Merrillville Police & Gary Police are both pursuing charges. Those charges were not immediately available.
