(DeKalb County, IN)- The Indiana State Police is mourning the loss of one of its own on March 3, 2023 as a result of a vehicle crash incident that occurred on Interstate 69 south of Auburn. The crash claimed the life of Master Trooper James R. Bailey, 50, of Auburn, IN, who served with the Indiana State Police for more than fifteen years.

The preliminary investigation by the Indiana State Police indicates that at approximately 4:30p.m. this afternoon, Trooper Bailey was assisting other troopers on I-69 with traffic backup as a result of weather related vehicle crashes near the 326 mile marker south of Auburn.

At that time, Trooper Bailey became aware of an individual driving at a high rate of speed evading an officer from the Fort Wayne Police Department on I-69 approaching his location. Trooper Bailey attempted to de-escalate that vehicle pursuit by deploying stop sticks. Trooper Bailey was struck by the suspect vehicle and critically injured. Emergency medical care was rendered at the scene and he was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.