Update:
Derrick J. Benson, 34 year old, was arrested last night for the following:
- Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle Causing Serious Bodily Injury (Level 5 Felony)
- Operating While Intoxicated Causing Serious Bodily Injury (Level 5 Felony)
- Criminal Recklessness (Level 6 Felony)
Benson had minor injuries. To clarify, Benson's passenger was listed in serious condition. The person's condition in the vehicle that Benson struck while evading the police was life-threatening.
Media Fact Sheet
Traffic Accident
Date: October 6, 2024
Location: S. Lafayette and E. Dewald Streets Intersection.
Time: 1:40 a.m.
Details/Summary:
On Sunday, October 6, 2023, around 1:40 a.m., officers with the Fort Wayne Police Department saw a vehicle being driven recklessly around the S. Barr St. and E. Oakdale Dr. intersection. As a result, a traffic stop was attempted; however, the vehicle did not stop. A brief vehicle pursuit ensued as the suspect vehicle fled north on S. Lafayette St. At the S. Lafayette and E. Dewald Streets intersection, the pursued vehicle rear-ended another previously uninvolved vehicle.
The condition of the driver of the vehicle struck was assessed as life-threatening by medics and transported to a local hospital where the condition remained the same. A passenger in the pursued vehicle was also injured. That person’s medical condition was determined to be serious by the medics and later evaluated to still be serious, but stable, by hospital staff. Speed and alcohol are suspected to be contributing factors in this accident. The incident is also being investigated by the Fort Wayne Police Department’s FACT, ASU, and the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office.
Sgt. Gutierrez, PIO
Fort Wayne Police Department