An Elkhart man was arrested after leading an Indiana State Trooper on a pursuit and fleeing from two accidents. Photo provided by Indiana State Police.

Press Release

MISHAWAKA — An Elkhart man was arrested after leading an Indiana State Trooper on a pursuit and fleeing from two crashes.

Just before 11:15 a.m. Friday, Jan. 14, Master Trooper Geoffrey Gruber stopped a gray 2013 Jeep for speeding on the US 20 Bypass in the area of Beech Road. The driver of the Jeep, later identified as Zachary Jester, 27, Elkhart, initially pulled over and stopped for Gruber. But, as Gruber was standing at the front passenger window of the Jeep, Jester put the Jeep into gear and sped away.

Jester fled from Gruber west on the US 20 Bypass, exiting at Elm Road and heading north. Jester fled west on Lincolnway in Mishawaka, leading Gruber down several side streets and alleys before eventually heading west on Mishawaka Avenue. Jester ran a red light, crashing into a brown 2008 GMC Acadia at the intersection of Ironwood and Mishawaka Avenue. Jester continued to flee south on Ironwood even though the Jeep had front end damage from the crash. The driver of the GMC complained of neck pain but declined medical attention at the scene and was going to take herself to a hospital to be checked out.

The chase headed east on Lincolnway where Jester turned into a parking lot of a business in the 2300 block of Lincolnway before crashing into a fence. Jester then fled on foot but was quickly taken into custody after unsuccessfully attempting to get into the locked back door of a passing car. An adult male passenger of the Jeep remained at the scene and was not arrested. It was also discovered that Jester had his two-year-old son in the backseat, and he was improperly restrained. The two-year-old was checked by EMTs at the scene and later released to his mother.

Further investigation showed that Jester has seven active warrants out of Elkhart County and one active arrest warrant from Whitley County. Jester was arrested and taken to the St. Joseph County Jail on the eight active arrest warrants and new charges of resisting law enforcement, child endangerment, leaving the scene of a crash, driving while suspended prior, and reckless driving.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Mishawaka Police Department.