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By Sgt. Carey Huls, Indiana State Police

An early morning, high-speed pursuit through Scott County ended with the arrest of two Illinois women after the vehicle failed to stop on I-65.

Around 1:20 a.m. Thursday morning, Trooper Wyatt Madden observed a Ford Mustang traveling at high speeds on I-65 southbound near the 12.5 mile marker. Trooper Madden clocked the vehicle at 90mph in a posted 70mph zone and attempted a traffic stop; however, the vehicle accelerated as it continued southbound. The Mustang reached 130mph before eventually coming to a stop near the 9.5 mile marker where Trooper Madden attempted to contact the driver. The driver then sped off from the scene and exited onto U.S. 31 northbound from the Sellersburg exit.

The driver, later identified as Lux Espranza Arellano, 22, of Saint Charles, Illinois, disregarded stop signs and traffic lights along U.S. 31 as she continued northbound. Arellano continued driving northbound on U.S. 31 at speeds more than 100mph. Arellano crossed over the center line multiple times and disregarded additional stop signs and red signal lights as the pursuit approached Scott County.

Trooper Jason Riley successfully deployed Stop Sticks at the intersection of U.S. 31 and West County Line Road, deflating two of the car's tires. The Mustang eventually came to a stop near Craig Road and U.S 31 in Scott County, where Arellano and her passenger were taken into custody without further incident.  Both Arellano and her passenger were transported to the Scott County Jail.  Their charges are listed below.

Lux Espranza Arellano, 22, Saint Charles, Illinois:

Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle

Possession of Marijuana

Reckless Driving

Suspended Vehicle Registration

Operator Never Licensed

Kassandra Soto Lopez, 23, Elgin, Illinois: 

Possession of Marijuana

• Law & Justice
• Crime
• Indiana State Police

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By Philip Hensely, Indiana State Police Master Trooper

• Aggravated Battery, Level 3 Felony
• Battery with a Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony
• Intimidation with a Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony
• Criminal Recklessness with a Deadly Weapon, Level 6 Felony
• Pointing a Firearm at Another Person, Level 6 Felony
• Aggressive Driving, Class A Misdemeanor

• Intimidation with a Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony
• Aggressive Driving, Class A Misdemeanor

Original press release:

A road rage incident along Interstate 65 in Clark County Friday afternoon turned violent just south of Henryville.

The initial investigation by Sellersburg Post Troopers indicates that just after 2 p.m., a white Chrysler Town and Country minivan and a maroon Ford Bronco sideswiped each other while traveling northbound on Interstate 65 near the 16 mile marker (Memphis exit). While continuing to travel north, both vehicles were believed to be slowing down and accelerating while making gestures and motions at each other.

Both vehicles came to a stop on the northbound ramp at Exit 19 (Henryville). The driver and passenger of the Chrysler, and the driver of the Ford, ultimately exited their vehicles. During the disturbance, the driver of the Ford fired shots from a handgun at the driver of the Chrysler. The driver of the Chrysler left the scene and traveled to the Circle K gas station in Henryville. The driver of the Ford was on State Police 911 during the entire confrontation and remained at the scene when Troopers arrived.

The driver of the Ford was detained and will be interviewed at the Sellersburg Post by investigators. The driver of the Chrysler was transported by emergency medical services to University of Louisville Hospital in Louisville for treatment of gunshot wounds.

This remains an active investigation by troopers and investigators. Additional information will be released as it comes available.

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By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

The Pierce Polk Township Volunteer Fire Department and the Washington County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched at approximately at 2:45pm Monday, Dec. 9, to a vehicle that had left the road, landing on its roof in a creek.

The accident in the area of State Road 60 and Voyles Rd. The driver was Cayce Dean, 25, of Jeffersonville.

Dean was extracted by the Pierce Polk Volunteer Fire Department. She was removed in minutes after their arrival and taken to the local hospital in Salem. She had no serious injuries, but was badly bruised and sore. Her dog, who was also in the car, was alright, too.

Dean had swerved to avoid a semi-truck and over corrected.

The Pontiac she was driving was heavily damaged on the driver’s side.