Car crashes into mobile home during vehicle chase

French Lick — A car chase turned into a foot chase after the suspect crashed his car into a mobile home in French Lick last night.

Indiana State Trooper Mike Allen observed the driver, identified as 24-year-old Angel L. Pagan Jr., of French Lick, of a 2002 Mitsubishi not wearing his seatbelt. Allen turned around and attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver sped away to avoid being pulled over.

Pagan turned onto Jefferson Street from College and disregarded three stop signs before losing control and crashing into a mobile home at 892 S. Jefferson Street.

After crashing into the mobile home Pagan fled on foot to his residence at 858 S. Jefferson Street. As Trooper Allen, F/Sgt. Greg Ashby and West Baden Assistant Chief Jason Kendall approached his residence, Pagan again fled on foot. A short foot pursuit ensued and Pagan was taken into custody about two blocks from his house.

Further investigation revealed that Pagan was wanted on a warrant out of Orange County for stolen property.

Troopers charged Pagan with Class A misdemeanor resisting law enforcement, Class B misdemeanor failure to stop at scene of accident, Class B misdemeanor reckless driving,  and Class D felony warrant for stolen property. Troopers also cited Pagan for a driving while suspended, unreasonable speed, false and fictitious license plates, disregarding stop sign, driving left of center, and the seat belt violation.

Pagan was booked into the Orange County Security Center.

Trooper Allen has estimated the total damage to vehicle and residence to be between $25,000 and $50,000. The owners of the mobile home were not at home at the time of the crash.