A Naples, Florida man was booked into the Montgomery County Jail on Friday morning in connection with a high-speed traffic pursuit and crash that took place Tuesday night.
Donald Lee White, 59, was arrested at 1:27 a.m. Friday on a warrant for three counts of criminal recklessness, reckless driving, auto theft and resisting law enforcement.
According to court documents, White allegedly stole a white F-150 pickup truck from Louisville, Kentucky the day before. He told police he found the truck running at a mall and decided to take it and head toward Minnesota.
The vehicle is owned by a lawn care business and the owner said the truck had a trailer attached to it when it was stolen. The trailer was located on a freeway by Louisville Metro Police.
Court records state the Roachdale Town Marshal observed White traveling northbound on U.S. 231 in Putnam County and saw the truck cross the center line twice. He attempted to make a traffic stop, but the driver did not comply and fled northbound toward Montgomery County. The truck crossed into oncoming traffic four times, forcing other drivers off the road. Speeds reached during the pursuit were between 80 mph and 90 mph. The driver also spun out at least once and attempted to strike the marshal’s car.
Stop sticks were placed at C.R. 300S and U.S. 231 and C.R. 300S and Ladoga Road as the pursuit made its way into Montgomery County. The vehicle struck the stop sticks on Ladoga Road and continued into Crawfordsville. White drove through a residential neighborhood, back yards and a parking lot where the truck collided with a Crawfordsville patrol vehicle.
White was taken into custody and transported to the local hospital. He told police he had used heroin the day before and was in withdrawal. He also complained of pain from the collision.
