Speeding Corvette driver evades police for two hours before ditching car in cemetery

BRAZIL — A speeding Corvette driver was able to avoid capture for more than two hours Friday before officers found his car in a cemetery.

The Georgia man was arrested, on foot, a short while later.

At approximately 4:15 p.m., Indiana State Police Sgt. Jared Nicoson observed a tan Chevrolet Corvette traveling westbound at a high rate of speed on Interstate 70 near the 23-mile marker.

Nicoson activated his stationary radar and received a reading of 86 mph in a 70 zone. The trooper pulled onto I-70 in an attempt to stop the vehicle. The Corvette abruptly exited the interstate, turning north onto State Road 59 at a high rate of speed.

The driver continued to commit several traffic violations with Nicoson in pursuit. The officer eventually lost sight of the Corvette near State Road 59 and County Road 700 North, deactivating his emergency lights.

However, Nicoson again saw the Corvette, this time heading southbound at a high rate of speed. Again activating his lights, he tried to stop the vehicle.

The driver, later identified as 29-year-old Wardell Jackson McClendon of Columbus, Ga., turned westbound onto State Road 42.

The Corvette was again able to evade Nicoson, who again deactivated his emergency lights.

The information of the pursuit was then relayed to local law enforcement agencies.

Moments later, Vigo County Sheriff’s Deputy Kris Morris observed the Corvette in the area of State Road 42 and Tabortown Road in Vigo County. Morris attempted to stop the Corvette, but again the vehicle’s driver refused and continued into eastern Vigo County, evading the deputy.

Shortly after Deputy Morris’ encounter with the vehicle, Clay County 911 Dispatch Center received a call from a citizen stating that a tan Corvette had pulled into her driveway, drove through her yard and had parked behind her house. The citizen said that a passenger in the car offered her money if she would help them hide from the police.

Refusing to take the money, the citizen called 911 and directed the subjects away from her residence. The vehicle then left the premises.

Around 6:30 p.m., Nicoson pulled into a cemetery located in the area of Grotto Road, west of County Road 500, which is near the Clay-Vigo county line.

Observing fresh tire tracks in the cemetery grass, Nicoson pulled further in and saw the Corvette parked under some trees. He immediately requested assistance at the location.

The passenger, 24-year-old Kdaijah Clifttela Lanier of Phenix City, Ala., was immediately taken into custody. She said the driver had left the area, traveling eastbound on foot.

Around 6:45 p.m., Deputy Jamie Switzer of the Clay County Sheriff’s Department located the male driver east of the cemetery and took him into custody.

A records check indicated that McClendon was wanted out of Georgia on numerous charges including, aggravated assault against a law enforcement officer, reckless driving and credit card fraud.

Likewise, Lanier was found to be wanted in Alabama for check forgery.

Both subjects were transported to the Clay County Justice Center.

McClendon was charged with Level 6 felony resisting law enforcement with a vehicle and Class C misdemeanor reckless driving.

Lanier was charged with Level 6 felony resisting law enforcement with a vehicle.