This 2018 Chrysler 300 driven by Merieal Tolbert of Chicago, Ill., crashed in Marshall County after Tolbert led police on a chase along US 30 that started near Atwood. Tolbert has been booked into the Kosciusko County Jail. Photo provided by Indiana State Police.

News Release

ATWOOD — A Chicago man has been booked into jail after leading police on a chase from Kosciusko County into Marshall County that ended west of Plymouth.

Merieal Tolbert, 28, was taken into custody following the incident on Thursday, Feb. 24, which ended when Tolbert crashed the allegedly stolen vehicle he was driving, according to a news release from Indiana State Police.

The chase began around 11:52 a.m. Thursday when state police attempted to stop a gray 2018 Chrysler 300 driven by Tolbert. That was due to his not moving over or slowing down as required by law as the vehicle passed an Indiana State Trooper conducting a traffic stop westbound on US 30, just west of CR 500 West, near Atwood.

Tolbert refused to stop and sped up to speeds of more than 100 mph as the car continued west into Marshall County.

A trooper was successfully able to deploy stop sticks near Iris Road, flattening both driver-side tires. Another set of stop sticks near King Road deflated the front passenger tire, the news release from state police said.

But Tolbert continued to flee while driving on three rims. His car hit another set of stop sticks near the overpass for SR 17 but continued. Near Oak Road, Tolbert tried to pass a semi on the right side and lost control of the Chrysler, which then went into a ditch to the right where it hit two signs and rolled.

Tolbert was transported to a local hospital to be medically cleared. Further investigation revealed that the Chrysler was reported stolen from Fort Wayne.

Tolbert was taken to the Kosciusko County Jail after being arrested for resisting law enforcement and possession of a stolen vehicle.