News Release

Elkhart County — On Thursday, Dec. 31, a driver fled from Indiana State Troopers, leading them on a chase that began in Nappanee and ended with a crash in Elkhart.

Around 4 p.m., an Indiana State Trooper attempted to stop a white 2012 Toyota Camry for a traffic violation near the intersection of N. Rosenberger Street and W. Centennial Street in Nappanee. When the trooper turned on his emergency lights in his marked Indiana State Police car, the driver of the Toyota refused to stop and fled northbound on SR 19.

As the Toyota continued northbound, it sideswiped a Jeep in the roundabout at the intersection of SR 19 and SR 119 and continued northbound. While traveling northbound, it is alleged that contraband was thrown from the Toyota in multiple locations along SR 19. Troopers later were able to locate some of the contraband and identified it as suspected methamphetamine.

The Toyota hit a tire deflation device (Stop Sticks) that deputies with the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office deployed at the intersection of CR 26 and SR 19. The Toyota continued to flee northbound despite the Stop Sticks successfully deflating the tires.

At the intersection of SR 19 and CR 24, the Toyota disregarded a red light and collided with a red Suzuki Reno that was traveling westbound on CR 24. The Toyota came to a stop due to disabling damage, and the driver and passenger were safely taken into custody. No injuries were sustained in the two crashes.

Troopers found approximately 80 grams of what apeared to be methamphetamine, a loaded handgun that had been reported stolen and marijuana.

The driver of the Toyota, Luiz Fraire, 26, of Bristol, was arrested for preliminary charges of Dealing Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Handgun by a Violent Felon, Possession of Stolen Property, Obstruction of Justice, Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Paraphernalia, Reckless Driving, Leaving the Scene of an Accident and Possession of a Handgun without a License.

The passenger in the Toyota, Fernanda Perez, 27, of Goshen, was arrested on a warrant.

Fraire and Perez were taken to the Elkhart County Jail.

Indiana State Police was assisted by the Wakarusa Police Department, The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office and the Elkhart Police Department.