Shane Slusser, a Ball State sophomore, led a short police chase after hitting a Muncie man while intoxicated on Friday morning. His reason for driving recklessly was being rejected from a fraternity, Muncie Police Sgt. Jay Turner said.
Slusser was charged with six offenses: operating while intoxicated and endangering a person while doing so, reckless driving, resisting law enforcement, minor possessing alcohol and leaving an accident scene.
Slusser had already struck Adam Dennis when Turner saw him driving "at an extremely high rate of speed" on New York Avenue. As he was pursued, Slusser continued to drive and refused to slow down.
"It was obvious that the driver was fleeing from being stopped," Turner said in a case report.
The chase continued around the blocks of Dicks Street, Dill Street and Beechwood Drive. Slusser's Pontiac GTO stopped when he struck a tree in the alley between Dicks Street and Dill Street.
Turner said Slusser was reaching about 40 to 50 mph, which is quite fast for driving down short blocks and turning. Turner said Slusser nearly hit him while fishtailing.
"He came right at my police car, so I had to drive off of the road to miss him," he said.
Once pulled over, Slusser immediately jumped out of the driver seat. Slusser complied after Turner shouted verbal commands, Turner said.
About 5 minutes after Slusser was apprehended, Muncie Police dispatch said there was a pedestrian injured from a car accident. Turner thought the two could be connected.
"I then began checking the GTO for damage and found that the entire passenger side windshield was busted inward into the vehicle," Turner said in the case report. "There was what appeared to be human hair in the broken glass webbing."
Three witnesses confirmed that the GTO was the car that hit Dennis. Turner said Dennis was fortunate for not having more injuries than a broken ankle.
"As hard as he hit that windshield and caved it in, it is real lucky that he wasn't hurt worse or even killed," he said.
Slusser was booked and taken to the Delaware County Jail. His bond was set at $12,500.
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