Indiana News

Share

E-Mail News Alerts

Get breaking news and daily headlines. Browse all e-mail newsletters

Prosecutors Want Teen Tried As Adult In Fatal Wreck

15-Year-Old Faces Reckless Homicide Charge In Officer's Death

POSTED: 7:36 pm EST March 8, 2005

INDIANAPOLIS -- Prosecutors filed criminal charges Tuesday against two teenagers in connection with a crash that killed a Lawrence police officer and asked that one be tried in adult court.

Slideshow: How Crash Happened

Authorities said the two 15-year-old boys, whom RTV6 did not identify, were in a stolen minivan that crashed into a patrol car Saturday night, killing Officer Craig Herbert.

Craig Herbert

The teen accused of driving the minivan faces charges of reckless homicide, resisting law enforcement, failure to stop at the site of an accident causing death, and auto theft. Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi is trying to have his case moved from the juvenile court system to adult court.

"This was an adult act," Brizzi said. "A police officer lost his life, and he (the driver) has to face adult criminal charges."

Brizzi said he was seeking the court switch in part because the alleged driver had previously been charged with fleeing law enforcement. A hearing on the request is scheduled for next week.

The other teen, who suffered a broken leg in the crash, has been charged with auto theft. He will be prosecuted as a juvenile, RTV6's Jennifer Carmack reported.

A judge on Tuesday allowed the injured teen to be detained at home with a monitoring system at least until his pretrial hearing April 11.

Police said the teens led them on a high-speed chase after the officer learned that the minivan had been reported stolen.

Authorities said the minivan was fleeing east on 46th Street when the driver lost control at a railroad crossing. The minivan slammed into Herbert's car, which had been going north on Franklin Road, police said.

Authorities say a minivan broad-sided Officer Craig Herbert's patrol car at the intersection of 46th Street and Franklin Road late Saturday. Another officer had been pursuing the minivan, which authorities said was reported stolen.

Herbert died at the scene. Police said he had heard about the pursuit and was trying to determine the minivan's location when the crash happened.

Herbert, a five-year veteran of the department, was the first Lawrence police officer to die in the line of duty.

Funeral Set For Friday

Herbert's funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday in Calvary Temple of Indianapolis, 2901 N. Post Road. Visitation will be held there Thursday from 2 to 8 p.m.

He is survived by a wife and two sons.

A trust fund has been established for the boys. Donations can be made to the Children of Patrolman Herbert fund at the Indiana Members Credit Union.

Previous Stories: