Rochester Man Arrested After Fleeing Trooper

WABASH COUNTY, IN - Friday, August 22, 2008, at approximately 12:29 a.m., Donald Raymond Lewis, 52, of Rochester, IN, was arrested by Indiana State Trooper Cicely Gasvoda after he tried to flee, on foot, from a traffic stop on U.S. 24 near County Road 700 West. He was incarcerated in the Wabash County Jail to face misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest, operating a vehicle while intoxicated, false informing, and driving with a suspended operator’s license. His bond is set at $11,000. 

At approximately 12:24 a.m., Miami County Central Dispatch alerted officers to a green Dodge passenger car traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of U.S. 24 approaching Wabash County. Approximately two minutes after the dispatch, Trooper Gasvoda located the Dodge which had switched to the eastbound lanes of U.S. 24, but was exceeding the posted 60 miles per hour speed limit.

She initiated a traffic stop and made contact with Lewis who was driving. He did not have a driver’s license or any identification in his possession. He provided Trooper Gasvoda with his alleged identifying information.

As Trooper Gasvoda returned to her police car to run a computer check in an attempt to verify the information provided by Lewis, he emerged from his vehicle and fled on foot. After a short foot chase, Gasvoda and a Wabash County sheriff’s deputy took Lewis into custody.

Further investigation revealed he was allegedly driving on a suspended license and operating a vehicle while intoxicated. He also purportedly provided false identifying information during the traffic stop.

Citizens are encouraged to report impaired or aggressive drivers by calling 911. Give a vehicle description and directional of travel. Never follow an impaired or aggressive driver.

Source: Indiana State Police