Indiana State Trooper Died After He Was Run Over by a Man Trying to Flee Law Enforcers

Prosecutor Neal Blythe of Dekalb County, Indiana, requested Terry Dewaine Sands II be sentenced to life without parole after running over an Indiana State Trooper.

Prosecutor Blythe filed a murder charge Thursday against 42-year-old Sands and requested a sentence to life without parole. Blythe also filed one count of operating with a controlled substance resulting in death, and two counts of resisting law enforcement, Fox News reports.

Sands is involved in the death of Indiana State Trooper James Bailey, 50, on March 3. According to 16 News Now, Bailey came to work on his day off to aid with weather-related crashes on Interstate 69 when he heard about a police pursuit just south of his location.

Indiana State Trooper James Bailey, 50, died on duty while setting stop sticks on Interstate 69 south of Auburn when Terry Sands II, 42, struck him. (Photo: Indiana State Police)

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Bailey then tried to set stop sticks to stop Sands, who was driving at 90 mph or more. Authorities said Sands drove directly into the median, Bailey’s path, and struck him with his vehicle. Bailey later died that day at a hospital.

Police spoke with Sands, and he said he tried to swerve and miss the trooper, as his intended target was Bailey’s vehicle. However, Bailey suddenly jumped in front of him.

However, police argued they had reviewed all video footage of the crash, and there was no evidence that Sands tried to swerve out of the way or Bailey jumped in front of his car. A probable cause affidavit said there was a presence of marijuana in a hospital blood draw from Sands.

Sands is currently taken into custody in the DeKalb County Jail, as the investigation is still ongoing.

The Indiana Fallen Heroes Foundation has created an official memorial fund to honor Bailey, a nearly 16-year veteran of the Indiana State Police. Donations can be made through this website under the “Master Trooper James R. Bailey” section. Donations can also be made through Venmo: @Indiana-Fallen-Heroes

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