GIBSON/DAVIESS CO. — A high-speed pursuit ended in a crash and the arrest of a 24-year-old Indianapolis man on multiple charges on Thursday, December 26, after he led police on a dangerous chase along Interstate 69.
At approximately 1:32 p.m., Sergeant Kevin Brown of the Indiana State Police was patrolling I-69 near the 21-mile marker when he attempted to stop a 2020 Penske truck for violating the state’s left lane law. In addition to the violation, the driver also failed to maintain his lane, causing a coal truck driver to take evasive action by driving onto the emergency shoulder to avoid a sideswipe collision.
Despite the efforts to stop him, the driver of the Penske truck, later identified as Brice Alkema, 24, of Indianapolis, refused to pull over and continued traveling north at speeds of around 70 miles per hour. Police deployed stop sticks near Oakland City in an attempt to halt the vehicle, but Alkema was able to avoid them. A second attempt was made near the 38-mile marker in Pike County, where the driver ran over the stop sticks but managed to keep going.
The pursuit ultimately ended when Alkema lost control of the truck near the 53-mile marker in Daviess County. In an attempt to avoid another set of stop sticks, the truck swerved and flipped onto its side, blocking both northbound lanes of traffic. No other vehicles were involved in the crash.
Alkema was found to have a small amount of suspected methamphetamine in the truck. He was transported to Daviess Community Hospital in Washington for treatment of minor injuries. Further investigation at the hospital confirmed that Alkema was under the influence of a controlled substance.
He was later taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail, where he is being held on bond. Alkema faces several charges, including:
- Resisting Law Enforcement, Level 6 Felony
- Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony
- Possession of a Controlled Substance, Class A Misdemeanor
- Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated – Endangerment, Class A Misdemeanor
- Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated (Controlled Substance), Class C Misdemeanor
Assisting in the response were officers from the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office, Pike County Sheriff’s Office, Daviess County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oakland City Police Department.
The arresting officer was Sergeant Kevin Brown, with assistance from Senior Trooper Ross Rafferty, Sergeant John Davis, Trooper Taylor Fox, and Trooper Connor Giesler.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent unless convicted through due legal proceedings. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
