Virginian Man Arrested Following Pursuit

Harrison County-  Friday, October 27, 2023:  A Virginia man was arrested following two pursuits on I-64 in southern Indiana.  

This past Friday, a motorist on eastbound I-64 contacted 911 and reported a white Mercedes Benz passenger car driving recklessly as it approached the Corydon exit.  The exact vehicle was involved in a pursuit in western Indiana earlier in the day, but officers terminated that pursuit and the Mercedes continued east.  Around 2:30 p.m., a Harrison County deputy advised he observed the vehicle traveling 120mph on the right shoulder of the roadway and was attempting to catch up with the car. 

Trooper Jeremy Simcoe immediately responded from SR 135, just north of the Corydon exit.  As he approached I-64, he observed the white Mercedes exit the interstate and drive south on SR 135 before doing a U-turn and heading back north towards the interstate.  The car continued north, running several stoplights and running vehicles off the roadway.  The Mercedes turned onto Old SR 135 and then headed back towards the interstate.  After entering I-64 westbound, the car turned left into the median, where the Mercedes became stuck.  The driver, later identified as 41-year-old Mitchell Ray Lassiter Jr, of Hampton, Virginia, ran from the vehicle and attempted to climb a nearby rock wall near the on-ramp.

Trooper Simcoe gave chase and ordered Lassiter to lay on the ground.  Trooper Simcoe arrested Mitchell Lassiter without further incident. During the subsequent investigation, Trooper Simcoe located suspected marijuana as well as approximately 61 grams of suspected methamphetamine in Lassiter's possession.

As a result of the pursuit and investigation, Trooper Simcoe arrested Mitchell Ray Lassiter and charged him with Possession of Methamphetamine, a Level 3 Felony; Criminal Recklessness, a Level 6 Felony; Resisting Law Enforcement, a Class A Misdemeanor; Possession of Marijuana, a Class A Misdemeanor; and Reckless Driving, a Class C Misdemeanor.   

Officer Kays of the Harrison County Sheriff's Department assisted Trooper Simcoe during the arrest. 

 Mitchell Lassiter Jr. was incarcerated at the Harrison County Jail.