Man shot trying to flee from and collide with law enforcement vehicles in stolen U-Haul

Detectives from the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post are investigating Tuesday's officer-involved shooting incident that took place near State Road 42 just west of State Road 59.

Just before 6 p.m., deputies of the Clay County Sheriff’s Department and troopers of the Putnamville State Police Post were dispatched to the area of State Road 59 and State Road 42 at a fueling station, in reference to a report of a stolen U-Haul located by off-duty Town Marshall Michael Heaton of the Knightsville Police Department.  Upon locating the reportedly stolen U-Haul, officers of the State Police and the Clay County Sheriff’s Department attempted to initiate a traffic stop.  The driver of the U-Haul disregarded the officers and traveled west on State Road 42 for approximately one mile, turning south down a private drive.  The vehicle came to a stop, and a female exited the U-Haul running away from the vehicle.  Officers then attempted to place stop sticks near the tires, but before the stop sticks were in place, the driver continued to travel south down the private lane.  

Stopping a second time, negotiators started speaking with the driver, once again attempting to place stop sticks at the tires.  Suddenly, the driver placed the vehicle in reverse, almost striking a Clay County deputy and striking three Clay County patrol vehicles. Putting the vehicle back in drive, the driver continued to travel down the private lane, turning the vehicle, coming to a stop for a third time, but now facing north. Negotiations with the driver started again, continuing for approximately ninety minutes, with the assistance of Sheriff Bryson Swearingen.  Suddenly, the driver put the vehicle into drive,and drove at a high rate of speed directly towards a fully marked Indiana State Police vehicle.  This vehicle had two troopers located next to it in defensive positions.  The U-Haul collided with the ISP vehicle and the force of the collision threw one trooper in the air. This is when officers from the Terre Haute Police Department and the Clay County Sherriff’s Department fired directly at the driver of the U-Haul, striking the driver. Once the U-Haul came to a stop, the driver was immediately provided medical assistance by the Terre Haute Special Response Trauma Team. The driver was subsequently transported to a hospital in Indianapolis via air ambulance and has been identified as Dale L. Evans, 47, of Terre Haute. 

The female, name unavailable in this report, was transported to the Clay County Jail for questioning and was released. 

One trooper was transported to a hospital in Terre Haute with non-life-threatening injuries he received from the collision.   

All officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave, which is customary in officer involved shootings. 

The investigation is being conducted by Indiana State Police detectives Colton Maynor, Don Curtis, Ryan Winters with the assistance of Lieutenant Jeff Hearon, Sergeant Michael Featherling, First Sergeant Brian Maudlin, CSI Sergeant Tim Rader and CSI Sergeant Michael Organ of the Putnamville State Police Post.

Assisting agencies included the Terre Haute Police Department Special Response Team, Conservation Officers of the Department of Natural Resources, Posey Volunteer Fire Department, and Lifeline Air ambulance.  

Upon completion of their investigation, Indiana State Police detectives will submit a full report of the incident to the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office for review and determination of charges, if any, to be filed.