Pursuit lands Coatesville woman in jail

HARMONY — A Coatesville woman was lodged in the Clay County Justice Center Wednesday following a pursuit that exceeded 100 miles per hour.

Brandi L. DePew, 36, was lodged at the jail on charges of Level 6 felony auto theft, Class A misdemeanor reckless driving and Class A misdemeanor resisting law enforcement.

At around 10:30 a.m., Indiana State Trooper Andrew Mattern was patrolling in eastern Clay County on U.S. 40 and heard the Clay County Dispatch Center put out a dispatch in reference to a gray 2005 Ford truck that had just been stolen in Brazil.

Upon hearing the dispatch, Mattern immediately observed a truck matching the description traveling eastbound on U.S. 40 near Harmony Road.

Mattern then attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the truck, however the female driver refused to stop and a pursuit ensued.

The truck continued traveling eastbound on U.S. 40, reaching speeds as high as 110 miles per hour, continuing for approximately eight miles.

As the pursuit approached the Putnamville State Police Post, several troopers were waiting in the median in order to de-escalate the pursuit. Seeing the waiting troopers, the truck came to an abrupt stop and the pursuit ended without incident.

DePew was immediately taken into custody.

Further investigation by Mattern determined that DePew displayed signs of impairment. She was offered the opportunity to submit to a chemical test but refused. She was arrested and transported to the Clay County Justice Center by the Brazil City Police Department.

Assistng were several troopers of the Putnamville State Police Post and the Brazil City Police Department.