Multi-County Police Chase Ends in Crash and Arrest of Louis "Sammy" Howard Jr., 46, in Wells County, Indiana

A high-speed pursuit spanning four Indiana counties ended in a crash and arrest on Wednesday morning after a Wells County Sheriff's detective attempted to stop a vehicle during a drug investigation. The incident began when authorities tried to pull over 46-year-old Louis "Sammy" Howard Jr., who had an active warrant, but the suspect allegedly fled, initiating a 31-mile chase through Wells, Huntington, Blackford, and Grant Counties. During the pursuit, Howard reportedly drove off the road directly at an officer who was deploying stop sticks. The chase concluded near the intersection of County Road N. 1100 East and County Road 500 North when Howard's vehicle hit stop sticks, causing him to crash in a nearby field. The suspect attempted to flee on foot but was subdued with a Taser before being taken into custody. Multiple agencies responded to the incident, including several local police departments, county sheriff's offices, Grant County EMS, and Freeman's Towing.

Location and Infrastructure

The final crash site at the intersection of County Road N. 1100 East and County Road 500 North is located in a rural area of Wells County, Indiana. This region is characterized by a network of county roads connecting small communities across multiple jurisdictions. The 31-mile pursuit traversed rural highways and local roads spanning four counties—Wells, Huntington, Blackford, and Grant—highlighting the interconnected nature of these rural transportation systems. Such county road intersections typically have minimal traffic control devices, often limited to stop signs rather than traffic signals, and may present visibility challenges for drivers unfamiliar with the area. The roads in this region primarily serve local traffic and agricultural transportation, with varying conditions depending on maintenance schedules and seasonal factors.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Indiana law, individuals involved in police pursuits that result in crashes may face multiple criminal charges, as evidenced by the preliminary charges against Howard, which include dealing a narcotic drug, criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, and resisting law enforcement. Indiana follows a modified comparative fault system (I.C. § 34-51-2), which means that in civil cases, damages may be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to each party. Victims of accidents involving police pursuits may have potential claims against responsible parties, but must file within Indiana's two-year statute of limitations for personal injury (I.C. § 34-11-2-4). Compensation could potentially include medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Additionally, Indiana law requires minimum liability insurance coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

Related Resources

Emergency Services

• Wells County Sheriff's Office: (260) 824-3426
• Grant County EMS: (765) 662-9981
• Bluffton 911 Center: 911 (Emergency)

Traffic Safety Resources

• Indiana Criminal Justice Institute: Traffic Safety Division
• Indiana Department of Transportation: Safety Programs

Support Services

• Indiana Victim Assistance Network: (317) 917-4843
• Indiana Criminal Justice Institute Victim Services: (800) 353-1484

Legal Resources