Search

Bloomington man arrested after I-65 pursuit in Bartholomew County

Courtesy-ISP

BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY, Ind. - A Monroe County man was arrested Sunday evening after fleeing from Indiana State Police (ISP) on southbound I-65 and later striking two vehicles before coming to a stop. A Senior ISP Trooper was on his way home from working the Indy 500 when the incident began.

Just after 7:30 p.m., near the 77‑mile marker, a car nearly sideswiped the officer's patrol vehicle while traveling at a high rate of speed. The driver, later identified as Joe Dylan Hacker, 23, of Bloomington, fled when a traffic stop was attempted, prompting a brief chase that was terminated after two miles due to safety concerns related to heavy traffic and wet road conditions.   

A short time later, dispatch reported that the same vehicle had crashed farther south on the interstate. State police radio advised that other motorists had allegedly boxed in the driver after colliding with two vehicles. Troopers later confirmed Hacker had struck two other vehicles, both resulting in property‑damage‑only crashes, before coming to a stop near the 61‑mile marker.

When officers made contact, Hacker allegedly failed to comply with repeated commands, leading a trooper to deploy his Taser to subdue the suspect. ISP later learned the vehicle had been reported stolen in Marion County.   

Hacker was transported to Columbus Regional Health, where he was medically evaluated and later cleared. He was then taken into custody and transported to the Bartholomew County Jail.   

In addition to several traffic infractions, he faces the following charges:   

Felony Charges:
• Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle (Level 6 Felony)
• Theft of a Motor Vehicle (Level 6 Felony)
• Unauthorized Entry of a Motor Vehicle Used in a Crime (Level 6 Felony)
• Obstruction of Justice (Level 6 Felony)

Misdemeanor Charges:
• Resisting Law Enforcement (Misdemeanor-A)
• Operating While Intoxicated - Endangerment (Misdemeanor-A)
• Theft - All Other Larceny (Misdemeanor-A)
• Aggressive Driving (Misdemeanor-A)
• Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Crash (Misdemeanor-B)
• Reckless Driving Causing Property Damage (Misdemeanor-B)
• Operating While Intoxicated (Misdemeanor-C)
• Refusal to Identify (Misdemeanor-C)

More from Bartholomew County News

  • Accidental shooting injures local man

    COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Columbus Police Department (CPD) is investigating an accidental shooting that occurred on Tuesday afternoon. Officers were dispatched to a report of a person shot at a business located in the 2100 block of North National Road, at around 1:45 p.m.   

  • State Trooper Shot During Traffic Stop on I-94

    HAMMOND, IN – UPDATE (11:26 p.m. on May 26): Detectives continued to gather information and evidence related to the investigation. The female passenger has been released pending further investigation. More details will be released in the days ahead.

  • BCSO partners with ASAP to counsel inmates

    COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), in partnership with ASAP and medical provider Quality Correctional Care, has committed to addressing mental health and substance abuse challenges both inside the jail and beyond release.

  • BCSC awards diplomas to almost 850 seniors from North, East, CSA New Tech

    COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC) held commencement ceremonies over the weekend for seniors at Columbus North, Columbus East, and CSA New Tech High Schools.

  • Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office spotlights FBI Partnership and ICAC Growth

    COLUMBUS, Ind. – The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) has announced that Detective William Kinman Jr., a 23-year BCSO veteran, has officially been sworn in as an FBI Task Force Officer (TFO).

Community Calender

Today's Weather

  • Bartholomew County Weather

    Thunder storm

    High: 77°F | Low: 59°F

Follow Local News Digital on