What started as a routine traffic stop on Friday turned into a high-speed chase on I-65 that stretched across Clinton County, saw two PIT maneuvers and a tire-deflation device, and ended with an Infiniti G35 boxed in and its 18-year-old driver headed to jail.
The pursuit began near the 172-mile marker and ran south to the State Road 28 exit. Along the way, police say the driver at one point tried to go the wrong way down an entrance ramp and nearly hit a trooper who was outside their vehicle. Investigators also reported that the Infiniti struck a state police vehicle during the chase. Officers described the situation as dangerous and said it temporarily backed up traffic in the area.
According to a post by the Frankfort Police Department on Facebook, trooper Walters first tried to stop the Infiniti near the 172-mile marker for a traffic violation and for not displaying a license plate. Instead of pulling over, the car took off southbound on I-65, triggering the multi-agency pursuit.
The post states that trooper Walters used a PIT maneuver that initially sent the Infiniti off the roadway on the east side of an I-65 entrance ramp. Additional troopers from the Indiana State Police Lafayette post and officers from surrounding agencies joined in as the situation escalated.
Police say the driver did not stay put after that first spinout. According to the account, he continued to flee and then tried to head the wrong way down the entrance ramp, nearly striking the trooper who had gotten out of the patrol vehicle. Officers then carried out a second PIT maneuver to put an end to the chase, while Frankfort officers deployed a tire-deflation device on State Road 28 that the Infiniti hit as it exited the interstate.
Emergency personnel reported finding suspected THC vaping devices inside the car during their search. The driver and passengers were initially taken into custody; the passengers were later released at the scene.
Charges and booking
Police arrest records identify the driver as 18-year-old Christopher Shipp of Aurora, Illinois. He faces a stack of felony and misdemeanor counts tied to the pursuit.
The listed felony charges include two counts of attempted battery against a public safety official and two counts of criminal confinement, each classified as level 5 felonies. He also faces one count of resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, a level 6 felony.
The misdemeanor allegations include operating while intoxicated - endangerment, operating a vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana (class B), aggressive driving, criminal recklessness (class A), and reckless driving causing property damage (class B). According to the post, Shipp was transported to the Clinton County Jail, while his passengers were released at the scene.
What officers said and next steps
Troopers stated that they plan to maintain high-visibility enforcement on major corridors, including I-65 and I-74, through the rest of the weekend in an effort to head off similar incidents. Agencies involved thanked drivers for their patience while the scene was cleared and underscored how dangerous pursuits can become, especially when motorists flee or turn into oncoming traffic.
The investigation is still active, and officers have not released details about Shipp’s initial court appearance. The department stressed that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Legal perspective
The combination of level 5 and level 6 felonies alongside multiple misdemeanors means the case could draw in both county and state-level prosecutors as it advances through the system. Charges such as attempted battery on public safety officials and criminal confinement are among the more serious counts and will be reviewed by prosecutors based on the evidence gathered.
According to the police post, anyone with video or additional information about the pursuit is asked to contact local law enforcement. Formal charging documents and court dates will be available through the Clinton County Clerk and jail records as the case moves forward.
