An Edinburgh man was killed following a single vehicle accident on I-65 while trying to elude police, according to Scott County Sheriff Jerry Goodin.
On Thursday, July 18, shortly before 8 p.m., Deputies Johnney Coomer and Skylar Thompson, with the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, attempted to stop a black 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The vehicle ran a red light located at Lake Road and State Road 56 in Scottsburg. After running the red light, the vehicle continued east driving recklessly, Goodin reported.
“The vehicle turned onto northbound I-65, refusing to stop, with deputies behind him with their lights and sirens activated,” said the sheriff. The driver attempted to exit the interstate at the Austin exit and lost control.
“The vehicle left the roadway and flipped several times, ejecting the driver out of the vehicle,” said Goodin.
The driver, Jesse A. Murphy, 30, of Edinburgh, was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Scott County Coroner’s Office.
Officers said he was involved in an attempted theft at Wal-Mart in Scottsburg right before the pursuit started. Employees reportedly stopped him as he tried to leave the store without paying for a cart of merchandise
Assisting at the scene were Austin City Police, Scottsburg City Police, Crothersville Police, Indiana State Police, Scott County E.M.S., Scott County Coroner’s Office and the Jennings Township Volunteer Fire Department.
The Indiana State Police is leading the crash investigation.
