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In a tragic turn of events in La Porte County, Indiana, a high-speed chase involving a stolen police car ended in the loss of a life. The incident unfolded when 21-year-old Melissa Collins of Lafayette was pulled over by Westville Police on U.S. 421 late Wednesday night.
21-year-old Melissa Collins of Lafayette involved in a high-speed chase involving a stolen police car ended in the loss of a life (Photo from National Police Car Archives)
Handcuffed Suspect Escapes in Stolen Police Car, Ends in Fatal Ditch Crash
Rather than stopping, Collins accelerated using a stolen police car, prompting a pursuit by law enforcement. Concerns for public safety led to the decision to cease the chase. However, shortly after, La Porte County deputies responded to a crash on U.S. 421 involving Collins.
Despite being handcuffed and placed in the front seat of a La Porte County Sheriff’s Office vehicle, Collins managed to manipulate the restraints, change seats, and drive away from the scene. Though police followed, they eventually lost sight of her.
The unfolding drama took a tragic turn in the vicinity of 2100 S. and 875 W., where officers discovered debris on the road. This led them to a chilling revelation – the stolen police car was submerged in water in a nearby ditch, having crashed during the escape attempt.
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Stolen Police Car Saga: Autopsy Set to Uncover Mystery Behind Collins’ Tragic End
Inside the stolen police car, Collins was pronounced dead, marking a grim end to the series of events. Authorities are now set to conduct an autopsy to shed light on the circumstances surrounding her death.
The fatal crash underlines the dangers and unpredictability of high-speed pursuits, prompting a deeper investigation. Collins’ motives and law enforcement protocols in such situations remain unclear as the community mourns. The autopsy results from the La Porte County Coroner should shed light on this tragedy.
