During the preliminary investigation, the Lawrence Police Department provided BCSO with the following information: Early this morning, at approximately 4 a.m., the Lawrence Police Department got in a pursuit with a 2013 black Kia Soul, in the area of Pendleton Pike & Sheila Drive, Indianapolis. The pursuit lasted approximately 15 minutes and was terminated in the area of Interstate 65 and Traders Lane, Indianapolis.
At approximately 4:23 a.m., the Boone County Communications Center received a call from a homeowner in the area of County Road (CR) 650 E and State Road (SR) 32, advising of a vehicle accident. The caller advised that there were officers already on-scene and that they were extinguishing the vehicle fire. Shortly thereafter, a BCSO Deputy arrived on-scene to find three Lawrence Police Officers attempting to render aid to the six juvenile occupants of the Kia Soul.
As emergency personnel continued to arrive on-scene and render aid to the vehicle occupants, it was found through further investigation that the Kia was originally northbound on CR 650 E. Once at SR 32, the vehicle crossed SR 32, northbound, into a nearby yard, and hit a tree head-on. The driver (14- year-old male) and front passenger (13-year-old female) were pronounced deceased on-scene.
The other four occupants were removed from the vehicle and transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment. The rear occupants were as follows: two 12-year-old females, a 15-year-old male, and a 16-year-old male.
The Boone County Sheriff’s Office is the leading investigating agency for this incident. This is an ongoing investigation. We will provide necessary updates as more information becomes available.