Deputy's K-9 partner killed in pursuit of carjacking suspect

PLYMOUTH, Ind. -- A carjacking in Plymouth led to a police pursuit on US 30 and a fiery crash that killed a Whitley County K-9.

Plymouth Police were called to the 2800 block of Miller Drive around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday to investigate a carjacking.

The victim told police a man approached him in the parking lot, displayed a weapon and stole his vehicle, a black 2016 Chrysler.

Shortly after the carjacking, Indiana State Police saw the stolen Chrysler on US 30 near Foxfarm Road.

Once other officers arrived, a high risk stop was attempted near Meijer Drive in Kosciusko County.

The driver pulled over to the side of the road and the passenger got out. The driver then sped away, police said, police said.

As the pursuit continued into Whitley County, a deputy positioned his car in the intersection of US 30 and CR 450 West and put stop sticks in the roadway in an attempt to stop the fleeing driver.

The driver of the Chrysler attempted to avoid the stop sticks and collided with the Whitley County deputy's vehicle, Indiana State Police said.

The deputy's car burst into flames in the crash.

Police said the deputy's K9 was in the vehicle and couldn't be pulled from the vehicle in time. It died at the scene.

The deputy was not injured.

The driver, Clarence Shearer, 31 of Ft. Wayne, was taken to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries.