A local teen accused of crashing into several vehicles during a police pursuit has waived his right to an initial hearing.
Prosecutors have filed seven charges against Edgar DelaCruz Veronico, 18, in connection with the April 10 incident. But the only felony facing the Central Avenue resident is resisting law enforcement as a Level 6 felony.
The remaining six charges in Bartholomew Superior Court 2 – all misdemeanors – include operating a vehicle while intoxicated and endangering a person, reckless driving, three counts of leaving the scene of an accident and consuming alcohol as a minor.
While Veronico waived his initial hearing where formal charges are cited, rights are explained and court dates are scheduled, Veronico did announce to Judge Jon Rohde that he has hired attorney Carlos Carrillo of Greenwood to represent him.
Rohde set a pre-trial conference on the case for July 24 at 1:30 p.m. A tentative trial date has been scheduled for Aug. 26, with jury trial scheduled for 8:30 a.m.
The pursuit of Veronico began near Third and Lindsey streets with a woman reporting that a driver in a red 2009 Ford Mustang nearly rear-ended her vehicle and ran her off the road. When officers caught up with the Mustang, the vehicle had front end damage and was smoking. Nevertheless, the driver took off at up to 90 miles per hour on Central Avenue.
Veronico is accused of crashing into three vehicles before he was stopped after smashing into the rear of a Cadillac passenger car on U.S. 31 north of Herman Darlage Drive.
Although the suspect tried to flee on foot, the pursuing officers were able to utilize an electronic stun device to take him into custody near Shannon Drive and Dale Court, Harris said.
Although bond was originally set at $286,000, jail officials said Veronico has been released pending his next hearing.
