The Muncie police officer involved in the "joyride" that ended when he crashed his squad car into a light pole in front of LaFollette Complex Aug. 28, has resigned.
Six-year veteran Jason Lyons, 38, submitted his resignation letter Friday at the end of his 10-day suspension, Muncie Police Chief Joe Winkle said.
"He was very apologetic and knew he messed up, but he understood it was the best thing to do," he said.
At the time of the incident, Lyons initially lied about what happened, saying he spilled his pop and lost control of his car.
He later confessed to driving 60 to 80 mph on Muncie and campus streets and had three Ball State University students, who Lyons was supposed to be taking straight to their residence hall, in the back of the car. At the time of the crash, he told the women to get out of the vehicle and leave the area.
Lyons was going to go in front of a merit board, Winkle said, but it would have decided what disciplinary action to take and Lyons wanted to move on with his life.
The case will go to the prosecutors' office Thursday to see what charges, if any, will be given, Winkle said.
Delaware County Prosecutor Mike McKinney was unavailable for comment.
Deputy Chief Terry Winter of the MPD said Lyons was originally rejected from the police force after the department's psychologist recommended he not be hired.
Lyons sued the MPD, and his attorney sent him to get a second opinion from another psychologist, Winter said. After the psychologist approved Lyons to work on the force, the MPD settled the law suit and hired him, Winter said.
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