Staff Reports
Columbus police officers arrested an 18-year-old driver accused of crashing into several vehicles as he attempted to flee from law enforcement on Friday afternoon.
At about 3 p.m. Friday, officers were dispatched to a report of a possible intoxicated driver in the area of Third and Lindsey streets, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.
The caller reported that the suspect, later identified as Edgar DelaCruz Veronico, 18, of 2006 Central Ave., nearly rear-ended her vehicle and ran her off the road. Officers spotted Veronico’s red 2009 Ford Mustang a short time later and noted that the vehicle had front end damage and was smoking, Harris said.
The officers attempted to stop Veronico, however, he took off at a high rate of speed, estimated at up to 90 miles per hour on Central Avenue. The officers pursued Veronico but they lost sight of his vehicle due to the high rate of speed.
Another officer relocated Veronico a short time later and attempted to stop him before Veronico crashed into the rear of a Cadillac passenger car on U.S. 31 north of Herman Darlage Drive.
Veronico exited his vehicle and fled on foot from the crash scene. Officers pursued Veronico on foot and utilized an electronic stun device to take him into custody near Shannon Drive and Dale Court, Harris said.
The driver of the damaged Cadillac complained of shoulder pain from the crash and received medical treatment from Columbus Regional Hospital ambulance personnel.
It was determine that Veronico was involved in three other accidents during the incident. While speaking with Veronico, officers detected the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath, Harris said. He was then transported to Columbus Regional Hospital.
While at the hospital, officers applied for and later received a search warrant for a blood test. After the blood draw was completed, Veronico was discharged from the hospital and taken to the Bartholomew County Jail on preliminary charges of:
Operating a vehicle while intoxicated
Operating a vehicle while intoxicated — endangerment
Resisting law enforcement
Resisting law enforcement with a vehicle
Leaving the scene of an accident
Leaving the scene of an accident with injury
Reckless driving
Illegal consumption
Veronico was being held in the Bartholomew County Jail in lieu of $286,000 bond, jail officials said.
