FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – Indiana State Police say that a trooper from the Fort Wayne Post felt as though he was “at a race track” when he witnessed vehicles suspected of street racing on I-69 last Friday.
Around 11:00 p.m., the officer was patrolling I-69 near the 312-mile marker when he observed a group of vehicles speeding at a high rate, seemingly engaged in a race.
The vehicles emitted a loud, modified engine sound, and the Trooper noted it felt as though he was at a racetrack as they passed by, according to ISP.
The Trooper pursued the leading car and, following a brief chase, managed to stop it near the Coldwater Crossing Shopping Center. The driver, 19-year-old Jackson Bertels of Fort Wayne, was arrested without incident and taken to the Allen County Jail. He faces charges of Resisting Law Enforcement (a Level 6 Felony) and Reckless Driving (a Class A Misdemeanor), and his vehicle was impounded.
ISP released the following:
On Friday evening March 22, around 11:00 pm, a Fort Wayne District Trooper was patrolling I69 near the 312MM when a group of cars passed him at a high rate of speed. The cars appeared to be racing. The cars sounded modified and the Trooper said it sounded as if he was at a race track as they passed. The Trooper chased after the lead vehicle, and after a short pursuit, was able to stop it near Coldwater Crossing Shopping Center. The driver was arrested without incident and jailed at the Allen County Jail. The driver, Jackson Bertels (19) of Fort Wayne was arrested for Resisting Law Enforcement a Level 6 Felony and Reckless Driving an A Misdemeanor and his vehicle was impounded.
Indiana State Police Troopers work diligently to create safe roadways for all Hoosiers and those traveling through our state. This dangerous behavior will lead to arrests and the impounding of the vehicles involved. Please drive responsibly and leave the racing at the tracks, not on public roadways.
All persons arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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