COLUMBUS — A high-speed police chase through eastern Bartholomew County and Columbus ended late Monday night with two arrests after the suspects switched seats while evading officers.
The incident began at approximately 10:51 p.m. when a Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department deputy attempted to stop a vehicle near North Buckingham and West Farmstead Drives. The driver, however, failed to yield and sped away, triggering a pursuit.
At one point during the chase, the vehicle abruptly stopped in the middle of the road, and the driver and passenger switched seats before continuing to flee. The car struck a tire deflation device deployed by Columbus police but continued to elude officers.
The chase finally ended when Indiana State Police executed a tactical maneuver to spin the vehicle and bring it to a stop.
Brandon Burton, 24, of Columbus, was the driver at the time of the arrest, and Audrianna Hoover, 18, also of Columbus, was the passenger who had briefly taken control of the vehicle during the pursuit.
Both suspects were taken into custody, and law enforcement officials found narcotics and paraphernalia inside the vehicle. Burton faces multiple charges, including resisting arrest with a vehicle, operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a prior conviction, operating a vehicle while intoxicated with endangerment, possession of a syringe, possession of a legend drug, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a look-a-like substance, and reckless driving. He is also wanted on two warrants out of Bartholomew County.
Hoover is facing charges of resisting arrest with a vehicle, operating a vehicle while intoxicated, operating a vehicle while intoxicated with endangerment, reckless driving, possession of a syringe, and possession of a look-a-like substance.
