Indiana State Police trooper killed after suspect fleeing from police strikes him with vehicle on I-69

Indiana State trooper killed in crash on I-69

One person is in custody after an Indiana State trooper was fatally hit on I-69 Friday afternoon. Trooper James Bailey was on duty assisting with weather-related crashes south of Ashburn when a suspect who was allegedly evading other law enforcement officers stuck him.

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - An Indiana State Police trooper was killed Friday afternoon after a suspect, who was evading police, struck him with a vehicle on Interstate 69.

At about 4:30 p.m., Trooper James Bailey, 50, was assisting troopers on I-69 with traffic backup as a result of weather-related crashes near the 326-mile marker south of Auburn.

At that time, ISP said Bailey became aware of an individual who was driving at a high rate of speed on I-69 and evading an officer from the Fort Wayne Police Department.

Bailey attempted to de-escalate the vehicle pursuit by deploying stop sticks, ISP said.

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Bailey was then struck by the suspect vehicle and critically injured. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Bailey is survived by his wife, son and daughter.

"This is a tremendously sad day for the entire Indiana State Police family. We will band together as we always do in support of Trooper Bailey's family, friends and co-workers", said Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas G. Carter.