On Thursday, August 04, 2016 at 6:44pm the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a black 1972 Pontiac Trans Am in the North Park area of Evansville’s north side.
The vehicle had already been observed failing to stop at a stop sign in the area of Westbrook Trailer Park. Deputies then learned that the registered owner of the vehicle, Mr. Gary Whittington, had a suspended driver’s license with a Habitual Traffic Violator status (making his operation of the vehicle a Level 6 Felony). When sheriff’s deputies began to follow the vehicle the driver, who was later confirmed to be Mr. Whittington, began speeding. When a deputy activated the emergency lights on his cruiser and attempted to stop the vehicle Mr. Whittington fled headed east bound and down W. Mill Road from Kratzville Road. Mr. Whittington ran a stop sign and drove into the oncoming lane in order to pass a vehicle stopped in his path.
The pursuit continued as Mr. Whittington ran red lights at N. First Avenue and W. Mill Road and then again at N. First Avenue and Koehler Drive. As the pursuit continued northbound on N. First Avenue, the fleeing vehicle approached speeds of 100mph. Mr. Whittington continued traveling towards Wimberg Road before entering the oncoming lane to pass another vehicle. Mr. Whittington stopped in front of his residence at 1810 Evanston Drive and fled on foot into a wooded area with sheriff’s deputies still in pursuit.
Mr. Whittington lost his balance and fell while running, which allowed the deputies to overtake him. Mr. Whittington complied with commands and was taken into custody without further incident. Mr. Whittington later claimed that he had left his residence earlier in order to purchase a phone card (apparently willing to bring it back no matter what it takes).
