Constable nearly run over during pursuit

A Whitley County man is facing numerous charges after leading sheriff’s deputies on a lengthy vehicle chase last week that culminated in a constable almost being run over.

“It was just a very bad ordeal. Thank God we got him into custody and no one was hurt seriously. This man was out of it,” said Sheriff’s Sgt. Jerry Noe, who noted alcohol involvement is suspected.

Deputy Brian Lawson charged Walter Harrison, 52, with fourth offense driving while under the influence, first-degree assault, fleeing or evading police, resisting arrest, and two counts of wanton endangerment.
Noe said the chase resulted from a call authorities received about 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 14 about a male subject allegedly urinating on the building outside the Mohican Tobacco Shop off Exit 25, and then leaving the scene in a black Cavalier.

Noe said he had pulled over another black Cavalier on US25W near the Bee Creek area that he quickly realized wasn’t the vehicle he was looking for, when another black Cavalier speeded by him.

“He came real close to striking me with his vehicle while I was on the first road check,” Noe said. “I pulled out, and caught up with the Cavalier around Bale’s Country Store.”

After activating his lights and siren, Noe said the suspect stopped briefly and then gunned the engine and sped off south of US25W before turning west on Highway 90.
Noe said the suspect eventually pulled off the roadway near a wide opening on the side of the road.

“I got out of the vehicle and started up to his vehicle to secure him when he pulled out throwing gravels everywhere,” Noe said.

Noe returned to his vehicle to continue the pursuit. The vehicle again stopped, only to pull out again going west on Highway 90.

“He went through the curves on the wrong side of the road, and started up the hill just before you get to Highway 204 and just stopped,” Noe said.

Noe pulled his cruiser around to block the road in an effort to keep Harrison from pulling back onto Highway 90.

“I was worried he was going to strike someone head on going through those curves toward Highway 90,” Noe noted. “He then threw it in reverse and went backwards on the wrong side of the road.”

During this time, Noe had been in communication with several officers, including Sheriff Lawrence Hodge, Lawson, Constable Lonnie Foley and Williamsburg Police Officer Shawn Jackson and Detective Bobby Freeman.

Lawson was the first back-up unit to arrive and together with Noe they were eventually able to drag Harrison out of the window of his car and take him into custody.

During the pursuit, the Cavalier struck Foley’s cruiser damaging the door and almost crushing Foley, who had to jump onto the hood of Harrison’s vehicle to get out of its path.

Foley said that Harrison apparently didn’t put his car in park before fighting with deputies, who were trying to remove him from the vehicle.

“I had just stepped out. He about smashed me between his car and the door,” Foley noted. “I went on his hood and across the guardrail. I took a good lick, but I didn’t get hurt much. I could have lost my legs if I hadn’t done it.”

Foley’s hand was injured during the incident, but he said Tuesday afternoon that’s it’s in good shape and he’s using it again.