March 5, 2023 Indiana State Police Master Trooper James R. Bailey was deploying stop sticks during a pursuit south of Auburn when he was struck by the suspect’s vehicle.
By Laura Rodríguez Presa Source Chicago Tribune Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
An Indiana State Police trooper was killed Friday when a suspect in a high-speed chase crashed into the trooper on Interstate 69 near Auburn.
Master Trooper James R. Bailey was assisting other troopers on Interstate 69 with traffic backup as a result of a weather-related traffic crash south of Auburn about 4:30 p.m. when he became aware of an individual driving at a high rate of speed, according to a statement from Indiana State Police.
Bailey, who served with the Indiana State Police for more than fifteen years, attempted to de-escalate that vehicle pursuit by deploying stop sticks, but he was hit by the suspect’s vehicle and critically injured, according to the statement. Emergency medical care was rendered at the scene and he was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
“This is a tremendously sad day for the entire Indiana State Police family. We will band together as we always do in support of Trooper Bailey’s family, friends and co-workers,” Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas G. Carter said in the statement.
Bailey, who worked the Fort Wayne post, is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
The suspect, Terry Dewaine Sands, 42, of Marion, IN, was taken into custody and has been incarcerated in the DeKalb County Jail on a preliminary charge of resisting law enforcement, causing death to a law enforcement officer, according to the statement.
The investigation was ongoing.