Indy man arrested after 32-mile police chase on I-69

GIBSON COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) – An Indianapolis man was arrested Thursday after a 32-mile police chase with Indiana State Police troopers.

At 1:32 p.m. Thursday, an ISP trooper was patrolling I-69 near the 21-mile marker when he attempted to stop the driver of a 2020 Penske truck for violating the left lane law. The driver also failed to maintain their lane, causing a driver of a coal truck to pull onto the emergency shoulder to avoid a side-swipe crash. The driver of the Penske truck refused to stop and continued northbound at 70 mph.

Tire deflation devices were deployed near Oakland City, but the driver was able to avoid them. A second set of tire deflation devices were deployed near the 38-mile marker in Pike County. The driver ran over the tire deflation devices but was able to continue north on I-69 into Daviess County. The driver of the Penske truck eventually lost control on I-69 near the 53-mile marker when he swerved to try to avoid hitting another set of tire deflation devices, causing his vehicle to flip onto its side and block both northbound lanes.

No other vehicles were involved in the accident.

The driver of the Penske truck was identified as Brice Alkema, 24, of Indianapolis. A search of the truck revealed a small amount of methamphetamine. Alkema was taken to Daviess Community Hospital in Washington for minor injuries. Further investigations at the hospital showed that Alkema was under the influence of a controlled substance. After being treated, Alkema was taken to the Gibson County Jail.

Alkema is tentatively charged with resisting law enforcement, possession of meth, possession of a controlled substance and 2 counts of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. He is being held on $750 bond.