MOORESVILLE– An Indianapolis man was arrested Tuesday afternoon, December 3, following a pursuit in Morgan County that ended in Mooresville.
Master Trooper Douglas Perry had initiated a traffic stop for a violation on a 2003 white Ford F350 wrecker on State Road 67 between Martinsville and Mooresville. Master Trooper Perry had determined that the driver, later identified as Christopher M. Whitis, 38, of Indianapolis, was unlicensed. As he returned to his patrol vehicle, Whitis fled from the traffic stop location. The wrecker traveled northbound on State Road 67 with speeds exceeding 90 miles per hour. During the pursuit, Whitis attempted to slow down and strike Master Trooper Perry’s patrol vehicle.
As the pursuit continued northbound on State Road 67, the Mooresville Police Department attempted to de-escalate by deploying stop sticks. Whitis’ vehicle struck the deployed stop sticks at two locations but continued northbound despite tire disintegration. The wrecker passed the Bridge Street and SR67 intersection and left the right side of the roadway, nearly striking the Blueberry Hill Pancake House building. Whitis refused to stop and attempted to return to State Road 67 but ultimately stopped in the grass in front of The USP Store.
Before his arrest, Whitis complained he was suffering from a medical incident. The Brown Township EMS responded to the scene and examined him. Whitis was arrested and transported to the Morgan County Jail, where his custody was transferred. He is facing multiple charges including, but not limited to, the following:
- Resisting Law Enforcement, a Level 6 felony
- False Identity Statement, a Class A misdemeanor
- Operating a Vehicle While Never Received a License, a Class C misdemeanor
Additional charges may follow. The Mooresville Police Department and the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department were among the law enforcement agencies that assisted in de-escalating the pursuit and Whitis’ apprehension.
All criminal defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
