PORTAGE MAN CRASHES AFTER FLEEING FROM TROOPER

In the late hours of Thursday, November 21st, a 20-year Portage man attempted to flee from a Trooper while traveling northbound on I-69 in Monroe County.

Trooper K. Austin Fowler attempted to conduct a traffic stop on I-69 near the 124-mile marker for an expired license plate on a 2010 red Lexus. After Trooper Fowler activated his emergency lights, the driver, later identified as Ethan G. Schlyer, Age 20, accelerated with speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour.

As the Lexus traveled northbound, near the 129-mile marker, Schlyer lost control and exited the east side of the roadway. His vehicle struck a guardrail and then traveled down the right shoulder. After becoming airborne, Schlyer's Lexus came to rest down an embankment approximately 150 feet from the roadway. Trooper Fowler immediately requested fire and EMS assistance and approached Schlyer to ascertain his health status.

Troopers Sam Wagner and Curtis Wilder arrived, and the three Troopers assisted firefighters with the extrication of Schlyer. When Trooper Fowler assisted Schlyer with the climb up the embankment to the ambulance, he detected a strong odor of alcoholic beverages. He initiated an investigation into the operation of a vehicle while intoxicated. Schlyer was transported to Indiana University Health Bloomington Hospital where he was admitted for treatment of sustained injuries. The incident remains under investigation.

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.