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| 3/3/2010 2:12:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article |
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| Police and emergency workers investigate after last week’s fatal accident in which Matthew Scott Henderson of North Vernon was killed. |
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Police: man had 'death wish'
Authorities say NV teen deliberately started pursuit that led to fatal crash
Bryce Mayer
Law enforcement officials say a North Vernon man who led police on a high-speed pursuit last week had a "death wish."
Matthew Scott Henderson, 19, died after the stolen car he was driving collided head on with another vehicle near Westport around 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 24.
According to North Vernon City Police, an investigation has revealed the initial 911 call that led to the chase was made by Henderson.
The call to Jennings County emergency dispatch at 7 a.m. that day was made from Henderson's cell phone while he was in a car parked in the Jennings County Fairgrounds parking lot. It is obvious Henderson was fictitiously reporting himself as an intoxicated driver in an apparent attempt to lure police into a pursuit, according to the investigation.
Police said initial findings from the investigation show that Henderson reported himself as driving while intoxicated and then intentionally fled police. He was driving a stolen vehicle, he drove at high speeds, he went east in the westbound lanes, he swerved at and attempted to crash into police vehicles and then swerved toward and intentionally crashed head-on into another vehicle. All of these point toward Henderson most likely having a "death wish" that led to the fatal crash, the report said.
"I have been in law enforcement for over 17 years and I have never heard of someone reporting himself as a drunk driver in an attempt to start a pursuit," said North Vernon Police Chief James Webster. "It is very disturbing that Henderson staged this event knowing what the eventual outcome could be.
"He put many people in grave danger and there is clear evidence that he wanted to end the pursuit by crashing head-on into a patrol vehicle. When that wasn't possible, he steered into the next available car. We are extremely fortunate that the victim of his crime did not suffer more serious injuries," Webster added.
According to police, Henderson was driving at speeds up to 100 mph after NVPD officer Nick Megel and Jennings County Sheriff's Deputy Kevin Hall began their pursuit near CR 300N where police said Henderson's vehicle was sitting cross ways in the middle of Ind. 3 when Megel first spotted it.
After the pursuit started, Henderson went on the wrong side of Ind. 3 and 46 where the highway is divided just north of Westport and narrowly missed colliding with two Decatur County Sheriff's Department patrol cars driven by Deputy Mike Woodhull and Josh Bushhorn.
Henderson then intentionally, according to police, drove his vehicle head on into a car driven by Jaclyn Miller, 20, of Hartsville at an estimated speed of 70 mph. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Miller was treated and released at Decatur County Memorial Hospital in Greensburg.
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