CLAY COUNTY, Ind. (April 15, 2025) — Detectives with the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post are investigating a dramatic officer-involved shooting that occurred Tuesday evening after a high-stakes pursuit involving a stolen U-Haul ended in gunfire near State Road 42, just west of State Road 59.
According to officials, the incident began at approximately 5:50 p.m. when officers from the Clay County Sheriff’s Department and Indiana State Police responded to a report of a stolen U-Haul spotted by off-duty Town Marshal Michael Heaton of the Knightsville Police Department at a fueling station in the area of State Road 59 and State Road 42.
When law enforcement attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver fled westbound on State Road 42, continuing for roughly a mile before turning south onto a private lane. A female passenger exited the vehicle and fled on foot, while officers moved to deploy stop sticks. Before the devices could be positioned, the U-Haul accelerated again down the private drive.
The vehicle came to a second stop, allowing negotiators to engage the driver. However, the situation escalated rapidly when the driver suddenly reversed the U-Haul, nearly striking a Clay County deputy and colliding with three Clay County patrol vehicles. The suspect then sped forward, continuing down the private lane, eventually stopping and turning the vehicle to face north.
For approximately 90 minutes, negotiations resumed with the assistance of Clay County Sheriff Bryson Swearingen. The standoff came to a violent end when the suspect accelerated directly toward a marked Indiana State Police vehicle, behind which two troopers were taking defensive positions. The U-Haul collided with the vehicle, throwing one trooper into the air.
At that moment, officers from the Terre Haute Police Department and Clay County Sheriff’s Department opened fire, striking the suspect, who was later identified as 47-year-old Dale L. Evans of Terre Haute.
Evans was provided immediate medical attention by the Terre Haute Special Response Trauma Team before being airlifted to an Indianapolis hospital for treatment. His current condition has not been disclosed.
The female passenger who fled the vehicle earlier was located, taken into custody for questioning, and later released from the Clay County Jail.
One Indiana State Police trooper was hospitalized in Terre Haute with non-life-threatening injuries sustained during the vehicle collision.
As per standard protocol in officer-involved shootings, all officers who discharged their weapons have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Indiana State Police investigation is being led by Detectives Colton Maynor, Don Curtis, and Ryan Winters, with assistance from Lieutenant Jeff Hearon, Sergeant Michael Featherling, First Sergeant Brian Maudlin, CSI Sergeant Tim Rader, and CSI Sergeant Michael Organ.
Agencies assisting at the scene included the Terre Haute Police Department Special Response Team, Indiana DNR Conservation Officers, the Posey Volunteer Fire Department, and Lifeline Air Ambulance.
The case remains an active and ongoing investigation. Upon conclusion, a comprehensive report will be forwarded to the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office for review and potential filing of charges.