White County: Thursday (2/1/2024), just after 11:00 p.m., Indiana State Police Radio Region 1 Dispatch received a 9-1-1 call of a reckless driving vehicle southbound on Interstate 65. Trooper Wiley responded to the area and located a 2016 Nissan Altima blocking both southbound lanes of Interstate 65 at the 192-mile marker. The driver of the Nissan was later identified to be Kevin Collins, 32, from Calumet City, Illinois. When Trooper Wiley attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the Nissan, it fled southbound on Interstate 65.
Trooper Wiley continued to pursue the Nissan southbound on Interstate 65 to the 188-mile marker, where the vehicle exited at State Road 18. The vehicle then got back onto Interstate 65 northbound at the 188-mile marker. The pursuit continued northbound into Jasper County to the 208-mile marker, where the vehicle struck a tire deflation device. Shortly after, Collins struck another vehicle and continued northbound. The driver of the other vehicle was uninjured in the crash.
The pursuit continued northbound to the 215-mile marker, where the Nissan exited onto State Road 114 and continued into Rensselaer. With the assistance of the Jasper County Sheriff's Office, the Nissan stopped on US 231 near Rensselaer. Once the Nissan came to a stop, Collins fled on foot but was safely taken into custody.
During his investigation, Trooper Wiley was able to develop information to believe that Collins had operated a vehicle while intoxicated. Trooper Wiley transported Collins to White County Jail.
Arrested and Preliminary Charges:
- Kevin Collins, 32, from Calumet City, Illinois
- Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle – Level 6 Felony
- Obstructing Traffic – Level 6 Felony
- Criminal Recklessness with a Vehicle – Level 6 Felony
- Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated – Endangerment – Class A Misdemeanor
- Operating a Vehicle with a BAC Above .15 – Class A Misdemeanor
- Resisting Law Enforcement – Class A Misdemeanor
- Leaving the Scene of a Crash – Class B Misdemeanor
- Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated – Class C Misdemeanor
- Reckless Driving – Class C Misdemeanor
Trooper Wiley was assisted by other troopers from the Lafayette and Lowell Post, White County Sheriff's Office, Jasper County Sheriff's Office, Reynolds Police Department, Demotte Police Department, New Chicago Police Department, and Cheever's Towing.
*All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.