Madison Man Arrested After High-Speed Chase Through Ripley, Jefferson Counties

The incident took place last Friday.

Photo provided.

(Ripley County, Ind.) - Ripley County Sheriff's deputies were involved in a high-speed chase last Friday night. 

It was around 6:50 p.m. when deputies were dispatched to the area of Benham Road and County Road 450 South in reference to an unwanted male at a residence. 

Upon arriving to the scene, deputies observed a vehicle run off the road matching the description RCC dispatched. The vehicle proceeded to take off at a high rate of speed. 

A traffic stop was attempted but the vehicle, driven by Phillip Duarte, 39, of Madison, continued on County Road 450 into New Marion. Deputies say Duarte then went south on Old Michigan Road at speeds over 100 miles per hour. 

The pursuit continued on U.S 421 into Jefferson County, where Jefferson County Sheriff's deputies deployed a tire deflation device at U.S. 421 and State Road 250. Durate continued on and struck another tire deflation device at the intersection of U.S. 421 and Michigan Road. He then traveled southbound and crossed over the intersection of Clifty Drive and Michigan Road before ending up at a residence on Fairmount Drive in Madison. 

According to a news release, Duarte tried to flee on foot but was taken to the ground with the use of a taser. 

He is facing preliminary charges of Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle - Level 5 Felony, OWI Endangering – Class A Misdemeanor, OWI Greater than .115 % - Class A Misdemeanor, OWI – Class C Misdemeanor, Reckless Driving – Class C Misdemeanor

More from Local News

Events

Local News

Small Plane Crashes in Saluda Bottoms

Crash is under investigation

INDOT reminds Hoosiers to place campaign and other signs outside state right-of-way

Signs that have been removed will be taken to the nearest INDOT facility

Kentucky Governor To Relieve $250 Million in Medical Debt for More Than 130,000 Kentuckians

Governor signs executive order providing funding to Undue Medical Debt

Local Sports

Local Sports September 14-15, 2026

Any missing scores or to report a score email news@953wiki.com

Jennings County Baseball Coach Passes Away at 50

Visitation and funeral services will be held this week.

ORVC Weekly Report Summary (September 7 – 12) 2026

Congratulations to all the area athletes