INDIANAPOLIS — Four police pursuits occurred among two agencies in one week. That's something authorities say is dangerous and can happen quickly.
"The crash that we had yesterday as a result of a pursuit happened 21 seconds after the trooper attempted to pull over the vehicle," Indiana State Police Sgt. John Perrine said.
That Thursday pursuit injured four people when it ended at 10th Street and Holt Road.
"That pursuit is heavily scrutinized. Each and every one, all the way through a chain, through our command to include our training division," Perrine said.
In the most recent pursuit, a trooper tried to pull over someone in a Mustang for aggressive driving, but the driver refused to stop.
Moments later, the Mustang hit another car.
Perrine said troopers always review the risk versus the need. They always review and learn from past pursuits to improve safety and decision-making.
On Wednesday, an ISP pursuit of a teen in a stolen car ended in a crash on northbound Interstate 65 near downtown.
Two people were arrested for stealing that car. Police say they found four guns – two stolen – and three with a Glock switch attached.
"The crimes that they're wanted for are beyond what they're running from," Perrine said.
On Tuesday, a chase ended in a crash on the south side involving two IMPD officers at U.S. 31 and Epler Avenue.
IMPD said the suspects were being pursued as part of a firearms investigation.
"There is a general order when it comes to vehicle pursuits. There are state-mandated requirements that we have to go by, too," IMPD Ofc. William Young said.
Young said just like ISP, supervisors are always listening in and can cancel that pursuit at any time — so can ISP troopers in pursuit.
"If we're in a vehicle pursuit, lots of times, that's some of the most dangerous criminals that we're after. We're not chasing folks for your minor traffic violations," said Young, with the department stopping those in 2020.
State police conducted 330 pursuits last year between 47 troopers.
Drivers on the road who find themselves in the middle of the action are urged to pull off to the right side of the road.
"We expect people to yield to the right, but if you're not sure what to do, just do what you have to do to get out of the way," Perrine said.