High-speed pursuit sends couple to hospital

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September 13, 2012

High-speed pursuit sends couple to hospital

ISP chased suspect at speeds topping 117 mph in Floyd County

By GARY POPP gary.popp@newandtribune.com The News and Tribune Thu Sep 13, 2012, 03:19 PM EDT

NEW ALBANY — The Indiana State Police was involved in high-speed pursuit that ended when the suspect crashed his vehicle into a roadside ditch early Thursday morning.

Cory T. Davis, 22, of Memphis, was behind the wheel of the fleeing car, which finally came to a stop upside down in a ditch on Ind. 111 after reaching speeds up to 117 mph during the pursuit, according to an ISP press release. Davis was taken by air ambulance to University of Louisville Hospital for life-threatening injuries, ISP reported.

A passenger in the vehicle, Chelsea Jaggers, 21, of Clarksville, was also transported to the University of Louisville Hospital via ground ambulance for non-life threatening injuries.

The pursuit began about 3:30 a.m. when an ISP trooper attempted to stop a 1997 Lincoln for a traffic infraction on Ind. 111 near Interstate 265, ISP reported. When the trooper turned on his emergency lights, the driver of the vehicle acted like he was going to stop by putting his turn signal on, but then he sped off.

The trooper pursued the vehicle on Ind. 111. then lost sight of the vehicle for about one minute, then discovered the vehicle crashed in a ditch on the east side of the roadway on Ind. 111, just south of Chapel Lane.

Davis had outstanding arrest warrants in Floyd and Clark counties, one for operating while intoxicated leaving the scene and one for failure to appear for driving while suspended.

This case is still under investigation, ISP reported, and when completed it will be turned over to the Floyd County Prosecutor’s Office for potential charges. ISP Sgt. Jerry Goodin referred the incident as completely senseless.

“We have a family now that is hurting because we have a child that is seriously hurt,” he said. “Young people should realize their decisions effect more then themselves, but their families also.”

Goodin commented that the original stop was for a simple traffic violation, and even with the warrants out for his arrest, there was no reason for Cory Davis to have risked his and his passenger’s lives.

ISP reported that neither the driver nor the passenger in the crash were wearing seat belts.