Indiana State Police troopers and Marshall County Drug Task Force officers arrested a man they say was behind the wheel of a stolen truck after a chase and fiery crash.
It was around 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20, when Indiana State Troopers spotted a black 2004 GMC pickup reported stolen out of Bremen at a gas station near the intersection of Kern Road and U.S. 931 in South Bend.
As troopers moved in, the driver later identified as Jared Hilty, 29 of Goshen, fled in the GMC refusing to stop for troopers. As Hilty was exiting the gas station he allegedly drove southbound in the northbound lanes of U.S. 931 causing a trooper in a fully marked Indiana State Police car to drive off the side of the road to avoid being hit.
Hilty continued southbound on U.S. 931 refusing to stop. Near the intersection of US 931 and Roycroft Drive, Hilty drove off the road to the right, driving southwest through a soybean field. Hilty continued fleeing through the field, eventually crashing into a tree at the edge of the soybean field causing the GMC to catch on fire.
Following the crash, Hilty fled on foot and was taken into custody after a brief foot chase.
Hilty was arrested for:
- Criminal Recklessness Level 6 Felony
- Theft Level 6 Felony
- Resisting Law Enforcement Level 6 Felony
- Resisting Law Enforcement Class A Misdemeanor
- Driving While Suspended-Prior
- Active warrant from Elkhart County for Probation Violation
After being medically cleared, Hilty was taken to the St. Joseph County Jail.
