Miami Standard (Jeffersonville, IN) – A pursuit by law enforcement in southern Indiana concluded with a collision involving multiple vehicles, resulting in several individuals being transported to local hospitals, as reported by Indiana State Police.

Shortly after 11 p.m. on Monday, a trooper from the ISP tried to pull over a vehicle for speeding close to the intersection of Eighth Street and Sharon Drive in downtown Jeffersonville.

An 18-year-old from Louisville, identified as Franky Vasquez, did not stop and fled the scene at high speed.

The officer chased him through back roads until Vasquez veered east onto 10th Street, maintaining a rapid pace.

Law enforcement officers from Jeffersonville Police collaborated with troopers in an effort to use stop-sticks at the intersection of 10th Street and Meigs Avenue, but their attempt to halt the individual was unsuccessful.

Authorities reported that Vasquez manoeuvred around police vehicles at the intersection of 10th and Spring Streets before colliding with two cars on the opposite side of the street.

A person was shoved into a tow truck.

Vasquez entered the northbound Interstate 65 ramp in the wrong direction before finally stopping.

A collision involving the initial vehicle impacted two adults and two children. The individuals were transported to UofL Hospital with injuries that appeared to be severe, though not life-threatening.

Two children were transported to Norton Children’s Hospital with injuries that the ISP described as non-life-threatening.

A man inside the second vehicle struck by Vasquez was transported to UofL Hospital with serious, yet non-life-threatening injuries.

“He totally disregarded everybody’s safety. He fled. when all’s he had to do was pull over. He endangered everybody’s life especially those people that he collided with,” said Sgt. Carey Huls of Indiana State Police.

Vasquez was transported to UofL Hospital with significant injuries that are serious but not life-threatening.

Authorities reported that during their inquiry into the incident, they discovered suspected narcotics and a firearm at the site of the crash.

Authorities have reported that Vasquez will be confronted with multiple charges connected to the chase and the items retrieved after his hospital discharge.

An investigation by the ISP is currently underway.

Huls reports a rise in the frequency of pursuits in recent years.

“One reason why the Indiana State Police has been trained now in the pit maneuver so we can more effectively and safely stop those pursuits,” said Huls.

Reference: 6 hospitalized after 18-year-old leads police on chase in Jeffersonville, crashes into 2 vehicles