Teen driver who just got license arrested after fleeing traffic stop, crashing into garage

GREENWOOD, Ind. (WISH) — A high-speed police chase ended early Monday morning when a 17-year-old driver crashed into a garage in Indianapolis after fleeing from a traffic stop in Greenwood.

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office shared details about the arrest Monday.

The incident started around 2:42 a.m. Monday when a county deputy tried to stop a vehicle for speeding near State Road 135 and County Line Road.

The driver, the unidentified 17-year-old male, accelerated and fled from the deputy north into Marion County. The sheriff’s office added the teenager “committed multiple additional traffic violations” as they raced from officers, including turning their car’s headlights off.

The pursuit finally end in the 6800 block of South Meridian Street in Indy, where the teen crashed into a garage. The deputy took the driver – who just got their license on Thursday – into custody without incident.

A later search of the vehicle located a semi-automatic pistol with a loaded magazine. Deputies say they also had a difficult time locating and speaking with the teen’s guardian following his arrest.

The teen was taken to a hospital for evaluation, and after being cleared, he will be taken to the Johnson County Juvenile Detention Center.

Johnson County Sheriff Duane Burgess said in a release says the arrest “highlights the continued importance of proactive policing and community awareness.”

“It is always troubling when a teenager is out at that hour, flees from law enforcement, and is then found to be in possession of the type of weapon seized by our deputies,” he said. “We are sharing this information to keep our community informed and to underscore our ongoing commitment to public safety in Johnson County.”

The teen faces preliminary charges of resisting law enforcement with a vehicle and dangerous possession of a firearm. It was unclear if the teen would be charged as an adult.

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