Tuesday Pursuit ending in Putnam County exceeds speeds of 100 mph

Nicholas McAlister

A 25-year-old Avon man is being held at Putnam County Jail following a pursuit starting in Hendricks County with speeds exceeding 100 mph.

Nicholas Joseph McAlister allegedly fled from a Hendricks County law enforcement officer after being clocked at a speed of 102 mph in the wrong lane of U.S. 40.

At 3 p.m. Tuesday, Stilesville Deputy Marshal Brian Ervin attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a black passenger car, driven by McAlister, which was westbound in the eastbound lane of U.S. 40 at Putnam Street. Ervin had clocked the driver at a high rate of speed and attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but McAlister swerved back into the westbound lanes and continued at a high rate of speed until he reached the Putnam County line.

Ervin's report notes McAlister was still traveling on U.S. 40 and started to slow near County Road 825 East where he crossed the grass median and again began heading westbound in the eastbound lane.

Putnam County Sheriff's Department Lt. Dwight Simmons reported he, Deputy Matt Biggs, Lt. Donnie Pettit and Deputy Jacob Harrington were at the Putnam County Jail at the time the pursuit entered the county and departed to assist.

The pursuit continued through the county at speeds reportedly reaching 125 mph. Ervin's report adds the exact speed the driver was traveling was difficult to determine as he attempted to maintain a safe distance in order to prevent a collision.

Simmons' report says he learned from radio traffic the vehicle turned southbound onto County Road 250 East and had turned down a "long driveway." He then spotted Ervin on 250 East, north of County Road 700 South, standing outside his vehicle with weapon drawn in the direction of the black Ford Fusion driven by McAlister, which was registered to Budget Rental Car Company.

The Stilesville deputy marshal and members of the Putnam County Sheriff's Department attempted to get McAlister to show his hands and exit the vehicle, to no avail. When McAlister continued to ignore the demands of the officers, Lt. Simmons busted out the rear window of the car in order to have a clear view of the driver.

Sheriff Scott Stockton and Indiana State Police Trooper Corey Robinson also arrived on scene.

McAlister finally held up his hands to reveal he had no weapon, but would not leave the vehicle. Simmons and Ervin attempted to open the driver's side door, but it was locked. After yelling several commands to unlock the door, McAlister finally complied, but again did not exit the vehicle.

The officers had to undo the seat belt to remove McAlister from the car. As he continued to refuse to do so officers had to forcibly remove him from the vehicle with the help of Deputy Biggs securing the individual from behind.

McAlister had to be forcibly placed on the ground to be restrained by Ervin, at which point Sheriff Stockton located the driver's wallet. The wallet contained more than $1,300 in cash and two bags of a crystal-like substance, which later field-tested positive as methamphetamine, totaling 117 grams.

The driver continued to defy officers' commands as authorities attempted to transport the suspect. McAlister let his body go limp to the point officers had to carry him to the vehicle at the scene, then stiffened his body when being placed in a cruiser for transport to Putnam County Jail. Sheriff Stockton had to utilize pressure points to get McAlister into the cruiser.

Once at the jail, he went limp again, forcing officers to carry him into the book-in area. Simmons noted during the course of the incident and later questioning, McAlister would not speak although he showed no signs of impairment or physical injury.

He is being held on charges of resisting law enforcement and dealing in methamphetamine. Additional charges in Hendricks County will be filed separately.

The incident is still under investigation.