INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) — Twenty-four-year-old Marcel Carter, the man police said is responsible for Monday's deadly high-speed chase is facing criminal charges.
Eyewitness News has also learned that Carter isn't the shooting suspect detectives were looking for before the chase stared.
Court documents describe a case of mistaken identity.
The deadly chase began with Indianapolis police hunting a wanted shooting suspect.
Instead they spotted Carter and started following him, the probable cause affidavit says, "Because this male matched the exact height, weight and physical description of (the suspect)."
But it wasn't the shooting suspect. It was Carter they pulled over. As officers surrounded Carter's car, according to the affidavit, "It was at this point that the driver sped away and began fleeing."
Police didn't know they were chasing the wrong man across Lawrence, Fortville, McCordsville and back at speeds pursuing officers said exceeded 100 miles per hour.
Investigators said Carter sped through a red light on Pendleton Pike, striking an SUV and killing 64-year-old Charles Alexander.
13 Investigates did not find any active arrest warrants for Carter in Indiana.
Four years ago he pled guilty to minor drug and weapons charges in Iowa.
Inside Carters wrecked car police said they found about a pound of marijuana, ammunition, a loaded handgun and a permit to carry it.
Accident investigators are gathering evidence for a criminal trial.
IMPD's internal affairs unit is also investigating to determine whether department policies were followed.
On Tuesday, Hancock County charged Carter with resisting law enforcement and reckless driving.
In Marion County, Carter is being held on preliminary charges of reckless homicide and resisting law enforcement. It is likely formal charges will be filed later this week.