FWPD chases driver who slams into car, garage

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - A high speed chase in northwest Fort Wayne ended after the driver slammed into a parked car and ended up smashing into a garage.

Shortly before 2 a.m. Thursday, Fort Wayne police received a report of an erratic driver near downtown. A short time later, a Fort Wayne police officer spotted a vehicle matching the description.

The officer attempted to stop the vehicle near Coldwater and Wallen Roads, but the driver fled.

Fort Wayne police said the man reached speeds over 100 miles-per-hour on various roads before eventually turning into the Perry Lake Estates off Coldwater Road near Union Chapel Road.

Police said the driver eventually slammed into the back of a parked car on Hammerhill Way, veered left from the impact, and crashed into the garage of a home on Amastar Cove.

Police said the driver got out of the vehicle and briefly led police on a foot pursuit before being apprehended by officers.

The driver was checked by paramedics at the scene for minor injuries and released into police custody.

Fort Wayne police said alcohol was a factor.

Police later identified the driver as Jeffrey Kartholl, 21, of Fort Wayne. He's being charged with two counts of resisting law enforcement, OWI, OWI endangerment, public intoxication, and minor possession of alcohol.

Damon Rabadeux, whose garage was hit, said he was sleep when the crash happened. A Fort Wayne firefighter came into his home to tell him what happened.

"I said, 'you're kidding.' He said, 'no, I'm not kidding.' He said, 'come on and take a look,'" Rabadeux said.

No other injuries were reported. Fort Wayne police told NewsChannel 15 the situation was very fortunate it didn't end with someone being killed.

The Fort Wayne Police Department, Allen County Sheriff's Department, Indiana State Police, and the Huntertown Fire and EMS all assisted.

The incident remains under investigation by the Fort Wayne Police Department and the Allen County Prosecutor's Office.