Three people arrested after high-speed chase across several Indiana counties

IND. FROM SOUTH. — Three Indianapolis men were arrested Friday after leading police on a high-speed chase through several counties.

Around 5:30 p.m., an Indiana State Police trooper stopped a vehicle that was speeding on I-65. Court documents report the vehicle was clocked going 87 mph in a 70 mph zone, near the 14 mile marker. Once the vehicle stopped, the police officer began walking towards it, before it drove off at full speed.

According to the ISP, the vehicle passed through the Sellersburg exit, re-entered the highway on the north side and continued traveling north at speeds in excess of 100 mph.

State troopers and other officers from nearby areas participated in the pursuit, attempting to stop the vehicle with Stop Stick tire deflation devices. Police said the driver managed to escape and noticed him throwing an unknown substance out the window as he fled north.

The chase went through Scott and Jackson counties on I-65. Then, about five miles south of Columbus, Indiana, the driver crossed the central reservation. ISP wrote that the vehicle was traveling northbound on the south side before getting off at the Columbus exit. However, as he began to move forward, he collided with another vehicle. Court documents indicate the second vehicle suffered only minor damage and no one was injured. The driver continued to flee north.

Finally, near the 81 mile marker, officers were able to deploy Stop Sticks, leading the van to stop near the 82 mile marker, according to court documents. The three occupants were then taken into custody without incident.

According to court documents, officers also learned the vehicle's license plates had been reported stolen.

The driver was identified as James Vinson, a 35-year-old Indianapolis man. He faces the following charges:

• Resisting law enforcement, a level 6 felony
• Vehicle theft, a level 6 misdemeanor
• Habitual traffic violator, a level 6 felony
• Criminal recklessness with a vehicle, a level 6 felony
• False information, a class B misdemeanor
• Possession of marijuana, a class B misdemeanor
• Numerous arrest warrants from Marion County

Note: Since the other two occupants were only charged with possession of marijuana, a class B misdemeanor, FOX59/CBS4 will not name them. If their prices are increased, this information will be changed.

If Vinson is convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 2.5 years in prison.