HARRISON COUNTY, Ind. — A Virginia man was arrested for reckless driving and other offenses in southern Indiana Friday afternoon after two police chases, a car crash and a foot race, according to an Indiana State Police news release.
On Oct. 27, a concerned driver on I-64 East called 911 and reported a white Mercedes Benz driving recklessly as it approached the Corydon exit. Officials discovered this exact vehicle was involved in a police pursuit in western Indiana earlier that day. Officers reportedly terminated that pursuit as the Mercedes continued east.
At about 2:30 p.m., a Harrison County deputy said he saw the Mercedes traveling 120 mph on the right shoulder of the roadway. The officer attempted to catch up with the car.
Trooper Jeremy Simcoe then responded from SR 135, just north of the Corydon exit. As he approached I-64, he spotted the white Mercedes exiting the interstate and travel south on SR 135 before performing a U-turn and heading back north towards the interstate.
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The Mercedes continued north, running several stoplights and running vehicles off the roadway. The Mercedes turned onto Old SR 135, heading back towards the interstate. After entering I-64 West, the car turned left into the median, where the Mercedes became stuck.
The driver, later identified as 41-year-old Mitchell Ray Lassiter Jr., of Hampton, Virginia, ran from the vehicle and attempted to climb a nearby rock wall near the on-ramp.
Trooper Simcoe chased Lassiter on foot and ordered him to lay on the ground. The officer then arrested Lassiter without further incident. Suspected marijuana and approximately 61 grams of suspected methamphetamine were found in Lassiter's possession.
Lassiter was charged with possession of methamphetamine, criminal recklessness, resisting law enforcement, possession of marijuana and reckless driving. He was incarcerated at the Harrison County Jail.
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