DEKALB CO. – DeKalb County Prosecuting Attorney Neal R. Blythe announced today that 42-year-old Terry D. Sands II has been charged with murder, resisting law enforcement, both Level 2 felonies, operating a vehicle with a controlled substance resulting in death, a Level 4 felony, and resisting law enforcement, a Class A misdemeanor) for his actions on the day of March 3, 2023, that led to the death of Indiana State Police Master Trooper James Bailey.
At approximately 4:35 p.m. on Friday, March 3, Bailey was working traffic on I-69 when he became aware of a pursuit just south of him. Bailey attempted to assist with the pursuit and was out of his car working to help the Fort Wayne Police Department officer who was pursuing Terry Sands II.
Terry Sands II is alleged to have knowingly or intentionally turned his car directly towards Bailey, which resulted in him being struck and killed by Sands’ vehicle.
Sands claimed, “the officer ran in front of him.” He also said he smoked marijuana within an hour of the crash and was on his way to buy more marijuana in Michigan.
“They said I was going 80 or 90 mph, but it could not have been that fast,” Sands is quoted as saying in court records. He thought he was going 70 miles per hour and road conditions were bad because of the heavy snow.
“Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers continue to go out to the family of Master Trooper Bailey,” said DeKalb County Prosecuting Attorney Neal R. Blythe. “They have been forced to face the most horrible tragedy any family could ever suffer. Master Trooper Bailey served the people of DeKalb County and the State of Indiana with honor and courage, and his loss has left a hole in our community. Today’s announcement is the first step towards seeking justice for Master Trooper Bailey, his family and friends, and the law enforcement community.
The case is pending and the investigation is still ongoing.
