A local man was arrested on multiple charges after he was accused of being involved in a hit and run crash and later led officers on a high-speed pursuit.
Columbus police were called to the crash at 10th Street and National Road at 8:45 p.m. Thursday, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman. A witness said the suspect who fled from the scene was driving a black Chevrolet Camaro.
Officers, assisted by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s deputies, spotted the 2010 Camaro a short time later and attempted to stop it, Harris said.
The driver, later identified as Dustan A. Phares, 36, Columbus, would not stop for officers and continued traveling north on Taylor Road, at times at speeds more than 100 mph, Harris said.
Phares lost control of the vehicle near Marr Road and County Road 450N when his vehicle overturned into a farm field, Harris said. Phares is then accused of fleeing on foot and was arrested after he was found hiding in the field, Harris said.
Phares showed signs of intoxication and was transported to Columbus Regional Hospital for treatment of minor injuries suffered in the crash, Harris said. Officers applied for a search warrant for a blood draw that was later done at the hospital.
Phares was arrested on preliminary charges of felony resisting law enforcement in a vehicle, and misdemeanor charges of resisting law enforcement, misdemeanor leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving, criminal mischief and operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
For more on this story, see Saturday’s Republic.
