A Monday night vehicle pursuit ended safely with a successful PIT (Precision Immobilization Technique) Maneuver on U.S. 31. in Clark County.
Around 8:45p Monday, Trooper Austin Baylor from the Indiana State Police (ISP) Sellersburg Post attempted to stop the driver of a silver Nissan Ultima for an unsafe lane movement after he observed the driver make an abrupt lane change in front of another car without signaling.
The initial citing was on 10th Street near Sportsman Drive.
When Trooper Baylor attempted to stop the Nissan, the driver turned off 10th Street but did not stop and continued to drive on side streets while disregarding stop signs before returning to eastbound 10th Street.
Once back on 10th Street, the driver, later identified as 23-year-old Tyion T Owens of Louisville, Kentucky, quickly accelerated and attempted to flee.
The pursuit continued westbound on 10th Street at extreme speeds while Owens disregarded a stoplight and drove in the opposite lane for a short period.
Owen’s Nissan then approached the intersection of 10th and Spring Street, where Trooper Christopher Rainey successfully deployed a Stop Stick tire deflation device. Owens continued onto northbound U.S. 31, turning around at Stansifer Avenue and resuming southbound on U.S. 31 toward the I-65 southbound on-ramp.
However, as Owens attempted to drive south, Trooper Justin Smith performed a successful PIT maneuver and safely ended the pursuit. After stopping, Owens attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended by assisting officers from the Jeffersonville Police Department.
A search of the vehicle revealed a handgun along with a variety of suspected drugs and marijuana.
Owens was remanded into the Clark County Jail with the following preliminary charges: Resisting Law Enforcement, Resisting Law Enforcement on Foot, Possession of a Legend Drug, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Trafficking with an Inmate, Reckless Driving, Criminal Recklessness, Operator Never Licensed, and Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon.
