On 1/22/2019, officers with the Whitestown Metropolitan Police Department were dispatched to the Love’s Truck Stop to investigate possible narcotics use in the parking lot. WMPD Officers arrived at the Love’s Truck Stop shortly after being dispatched, along with Indiana State Police, and located the reported suspect vehicle (a white Acura sedan). While officers were approaching the vehicle to speak to the occupants, it sped off at a high rate of speed. Officers gave loud verbal commands for the driver to stop, but the vehicle exited the parking lot and drove towards Interstate 65. WMPD, ISP, and Boone County Sheriff’s Deputies initiated a vehicle pursuit on the suspect vehicle and followed it onto I-65.

            Law enforcement pursued the suspect vehicle first southbound on I-65, and then northbound after the suspect vehicle changed directions using an emergency turnaround on the interstate. After fleeing for several miles, the suspect vehicle attempted to use another emergency turnaround on the interstate to change directions a second time. Upon attempting to turn southbound on I-65, the suspect vehicle struck another vehicle traveling southbound, and the pursuit ended. The driver, identified as Edward Smith, (38-year old white male) of Georgia, and a passenger identified as Keree Grosso, (41-year old white female) of Florida, were apprehended, and taken into police custody. Both suspects were taken to a local hospital, evaluated for injuries, and released to WMPD officers for incarceration. The driver of the vehicle struck by the suspect was not injured.

Edward Smith is currently being held at the Boone County Jail, pending charges of Carrying a Handgun Without a License (with a prior felony conviction), Resisting Law Enforcement (with a motor vehicle), Receiving Stolen Auto Parts, Criminal Recklessness (with a motor vehicle), Reckless Driving and Refusal to Identify Self. Keree Grosso is currently being held at the Boone County Jail for Resisting Law Enforcement (with a motor vehicle) and Possession of Paraphernalia.

The suspect vehicle was found to be stolen out of Ohio, and the incident is currently being investigated by WMPD Detectives.

Responding Agencies: Whitestown Metropolitan Police Department, Boone County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police, Whitestown Fire Department/EMS, Witham Medical Staff