Motorcyclist arrested after fleeing trooper at 100 mph

MANHATTAN -- A 26-year-old Hendricks County man was arrested in Putnam County Wednesday night after reportedly leading State Police on a pursuit that reach 100 mph at times along Manhattan Road, Indiana State Police at Putnamville reported.

Andrew French of Plainfield was westbound on U.S. 40, near County Road 200 West (west of Putnamville), just before 7 p.m. Wednesday when Indiana State Police Senior Trooper David Petrowski tracked his 2016 Yamaha motorcycle on radar at 74 mph in a 55-mph zone.

As Petrowski attempted to stop the motorcycle, the driver fled north on Manhattan Road from U.S. 40, at times reaching speeds near 100 mph, police said.

Near County Road 550 South (the road that goes to Houck Covered Bridge and Boone-Hutcheson Cemetery), the cyclist failed to negotiate a curve and traveled off the roadway. At that time, he was taken into custody by Trooper Petrowski about 10 minutes after the pursuit had begun.

Incarcerated in the Putnam County Jail on preliminary charges, French faces a felony count of resisting law enforcement with a vehicle and a misdemeanor charge of reckless driving.

Assisting Petowski were Troopers Austin Fowler and David Cox Jr. and Seniour's Towing.