Indianapolis woman jailed after leading Indiana State Troopers on pursuit in Marshall County

Friday, January 16, 2026 at 3:00 AM

An Indianapolis woman is in jail on numerous charges after leading Indiana State Troopers on a pursuit yesterday in Marshall County.

On Wednesday, January 14, several Indiana State Troopers were working in the area of U.S. 31 and S.R. 10. At approximately 1:15 p.m., two troopers observed a red 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier speeding as it traveled northbound on U.S. 31 near 14th Road.

As a trooper caught up to the Chevrolet, the driver, later identified as Amber McDowell, 35, of Indianapolis, began to drive erratically and pass other vehicles, leading him to believe she was going to flee. As soon as the trooper activated the emergency lights on his marked Indiana State Police Dodge Charger, the Chevrolet accelerated and did not stop, with speeds approaching 100 miles per hour at times.

McDowell fled northbound on U.S. 31, passing vehicles on the left and right as well as on the shoulder several times. McDowell lost control of the Chevrolet near mile maker 232 and entered the center median but she was able to regain control and continued to flee northbound. As the pursuit approached S.R. 4 McDowell drove onto the exit ramp but lost control due to the ramp being covered in snow causing the Chevrolet to crash into a concrete ditch on the west side of the ramp.

Following this crash, McDowell got out of the Chevrolet and began to flee on foot, refusing commands from troopers to stop. McDowell was tased and taken into custody. While speaking to McDowell she showed signs of intoxication and was also found to have an active warrant out of Hendricks County and an active warrant out of Kentucky.

McDowell was transported to the Plymouth hospital to be checked out from crashing, being tased, and for the OWI investigation. After being medically cleared, McDowell was transported to the Marshall County Jail and booked in for resisting law enforcement with a Vehicle as a Level 6 Felony, operating while intoxicated with a prior as a Level 6 Felony, operating while intoxicated-endangerment as a Class A-Misdemeanor, resisting law enforcement as a Class A-Misdemeanor, reckless driving as a Class C-Misdemeanor, as well as the two active warrants.

*All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.