Pursuit in Southern Scott County results in Apprehension of Dangerous Criminal

Friday, September 9th, 2022 9:20am

Many different police agencies were involved in the pursuit

Scott County-On 9-8-2022 at approximately 11:20am, Scott County Sheriff's Deputy First Sergeant Johnney Coomer attempted to perform a traffic stop on Interstate 65 near the 25.5 mile marker in Southern Scott County. Reportedly, a female driver attempted to run another vehicle off of the roadway after becoming involved in a "road-rage incident", allegedly ramming the other vehicle as they both traveled north on Interstate 65. After stopping both vehicles involved in the incident, the female driver, identified as Kalesha Benjamin, 28 of Mobile, Alabama drove away from the stop and a pursuit ensued thereafter. First Sergeant Coomer was joined by several Scottsburg City Police vehicles as he pursued the fleeing vehicle north on the interstate, where the vehicle struck a tire deflation device at the 48 mile marker in Jackson County, eventually coming to a stop near the 47 mile marker after it turned back south on the interstate. Kalesha Benjamin was arrested at the scene for the following offenses;

Reckless Driving
Resisting Law Enforcement
Resisting Law Enforcement - Uses Vehicle or Draws or Uses a Deadly Weapon
Criminal Recklessness with a Vehicle
Disorderly Conduct
Leaving the Scene of an Accident
Operator Never Licensed
Wanted on a Warrant (Jefferson County, Kentucky)

The investigative report has been referred to the Scott County Prosecutor's Office for formal charging of the accused once the facts of the case are reviewed. Agencies assisting the Sheriff's Office with this incident were the Scottsburg City Police Department, Austin City Police Department, Crothersville Police, Seymour City Police, Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Scott County Emergency Dispatch Center, and the Scott County Prosecutors Office. This investigation is ongoing at this time...more arrests may follow as a result of the impending investigation