Driver Dies Following High Speed Chase With Police
News Release
FORT WAYNE – The Indiana State Police are investigating a single-vehicle crash that claimed the life of a Fort Wayne man this Thursday afternoon on I-69 near Fort Wayne.
The high-speed crash occurred after the driver, Kedrin M. Jackson, 24, of Fort Wayne, fled from a traffic stop initiated by an Indiana State Trooper for a speeding violation.
The incident began at approximately 12:30 p.m. on I-69 near the 305-mile marker, after a trooper attempted to stop Jackson while driving a black 2019 Dodge Durango SUV traveling at near 95 mph.
Jackson allegedly stopped in the middle of the interstate, and then prior to the trooper exiting his patrol car, Jackson fled the traffic stop at a high rate of speed. The initiating trooper attempted to pursue the Durango, but his police vehicle became disabled after striking debris in the roadway, which flattened his tire.
A second trooper ahead of the incident on I-69 near the US 30 interchange was positioning to deploy stop sticks to de-escalate the pursuit, however, the Durango passed by before that plan could come to fruition. At this point, the Durango was moving well over 100 mph. Jackson attempted to exit the interstate at the exit ramp for Lima Road and was traveling over 110 mph.
Jackson lost control of the vehicle, ran off the ramp road surface, causing the Durango to overturn numerous times.
Jackson was ejected from the vehicle and sustained severe injuries. He was immediately attended to by a nurse who was passing by, along with a Fort Wayne Police officer until EMS personnel arrived. Jackson was taken to a local area hospital from the scene in critical condition. He died a short time later.
The overall incident remains an active ongoing investigation by the Indiana State Police. The crash portion of the investigation is being conducted by Indiana State Police Crash Reconstruction personnel. A full reporting of the incident will be turned over to the Allen County Prosecutor for review upon completion.