Published: November 05, 2009 04:32 pm      

Police chase ends at airport

PLAINFIELD — What started as a routine traffic stop here ended in a high-speed police chase into Marion County.

A Plainfield Police Department officer attempted to stop a vehicle driven by a Richard Stedman, 44, of Indianapolis, at the intersection of Main and Simmons streets here.

Stedman had two passengers in the vehicle, a man and a woman. PPD Sgt. Betsy Krieger said the officer had asked the passengers to step out of the vehicle.

“When they went up to ask the driver to step out, that’s when (the suspect) took off,” she said.

PPD Lt. Jill Lees said police stopped Stedman for a seat belt violation.

“We’re not certain (why he took off),” she said. “Detectives are still investigating what else might have gone on in the vehicle. But the driver had a warrant out on him in Marion County.”

Lees said the pursuit began on U.S. 40, went south on State Road 267, and then onto I-70 East. She said Stedman got on one of the airport exists and tried to drive onto the new arrivals ramp, where he caught the ramp and ran up the side of it.

“Then he got out and jumped over the wall, which they measured to be approximately 90 feet,” Lees said.

Stedman was taken to Wishard Hospital in Indianapolis.

“The captain thought that he had broken both legs and was conscious and awake when medics arrived,” Lees said.