Police identify driver who crashed on SR 19 following pursuit

Photo courtesy Vaughn Schroeder

The driver who led Indiana State Police on a pursuit from Nappanee to Elkhart Thursday is facing multiple felony charges.

Luiz Fraire, 26 of Bristol, was arrested for preliminary charges of dealing methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a handgun by a violent felon, possession of stolen property, obstruction of justice, resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, and possession of a handgun without a license.

Around 4 p.m., a trooper attempted to stop a 2012 Camry for a traffic violation near N. Rosenberger Street and W. Centennial in Nappanee.

The driver failed to pull over for the trooper and fled northbound on SR 19, reports said.

The Camry sideswiped a Jeep in the roundabout at SR 19 and SR 119 and continued northbound.

Police said the occupants of the vehicle threw contraband from the vehicle during the pursuit. Some of the items were recovered by police and was identified as suspected methamphetamine, reports said.

Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office deputies deployed stop sticks at CR 26 and SR 19, but it continued fleeing northbound despite deflated tires, police said.

At SR 19 and CR 24, the vehicle ran a stoplight and collided with a vehicle traveling westbound on CR 24, police said.

The Camry came to a complete stop due to damage from the crash and the driver and passenger were taken into custody, report said.

Troopers located approximately 80 grams of suspected methamphetamine, a loaded handgun that had been reported stolen, and suspected marijuana, reports said.

The passenger, Fernanda Perez, 27 of Goshen, was arrested on an active warrant.

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