CPD apprehends North Vernon Man after short pursuit

COLUMBUS, Ind. - A Jennings County man is in jail after fleeing from police and crashing his car. A Columbus Police Department (CPD) sergeant observed the vehicle driving recklessly on Central Avenue at around 6:15 p.m. on Friday, August 7.

The car turned eastbound onto 8th Street and sped off. A nearby witness told the sergeant that the vehicle went southbound on Gladstone Avenue.

A CPD officer was on Gladstone Avenue near Illinois Avenue when the car passed her going south. According to radar, it was traveling 55 mph in a 30 mph zone.   

The officer turned around,  activated her emergency lights and siren, and began to pursue the vehicle. The car went through the red light at State Street and continued south on Gladstone. Following a short chase, the driver lost control and crashed through a street sign into a fence. He got out of the car and surrendered to CPD officers.

The driver, Cameron Lee, 22, of North Vernon, reported minor injuries from the wreck and was taken to the hospital. After being released, Lee was remanded to the Bartholomew County Jail for the preliminary charges of resisting law enforcement with a vehicle (level 6 felony) and reckless driving (class C misdemeanor).

All charges are merely accusations, and the suspect is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.