On Thursday, November 12, at approximately 2:27 a.m., a Whitestown Metropolitan Police Department officer attempted to stop a white passenger vehicle for several traffic violations.
The driver failed to stop, traveled the wrong way through the roundabout at Main Street and Mills Drive, and fled from the officer at a high rate of speed. Following a brief pursuit, the vehicle crashed near County Road 525 South and County Road 700 East.
The driver, later identified as Peyton Bellinger, 19, of Indianapolis, exited the vehicle and ran from officers. During the foot pursuit, officers observed Bellinger discard a firearm.
Officers temporarily lost sight of the suspect and established a search perimeter while requesting assistance from a police K-9 team and a drone operator.
A passenger who remained in the vehicle was treated for injuries sustained in the crash. The passenger was briefly detained for questioning and later released.
With assistance from the Zionsville Police Department, a drone was used to locate and track Bellinger. Before deploying the police K-9, officers issued warnings over a public address system, directing nearby residents to remain indoors and ordering the suspect to surrender.
Bellinger continued to flee, and the K-9 was deployed and successfully apprehended him.
Officers immediately provided medical aid. Bellinger was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries sustained during the crash and apprehension.
The investigation determined that both the vehicle and firearm involved in the incident had been reported stolen.
After being medically cleared, Bellinger was booked into the Boone County Jail on the following preliminary charges:
- Resisting Law Enforcement Using a Vehicle Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (Level 4 Felony)
- Resisting Law Enforcement Using a Motor Vehicle (Level 6 Felony)
- Operating While Intoxicated Resulting in Bodily Injury (Level 6 Felony)
- Auto Theft (Level 6 Felony)
- Resisting Law Enforcement (Class A Misdemeanor)
- Reckless Driving Causing Bodily Injury (Class A Misdemeanor)
- Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Bodily Injury (Class A Misdemeanor)
- Operating While Intoxicated Endangering a Person (Class A Misdemeanor)
- Public Intoxication (Class B Misdemeanor)
Assisting agencies included the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, Lebanon Police Department, Zionsville Police Department and Zionsville Fire Department/EMS.
All charges are preliminary. All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.