On December 5, 2025, just before 11:30 p.m., Trooper McKinney was patrolling the area of State Road 25 near County Road 275 South when he located a 2025 Honda Civic that matched the description of a vehicle that had fled from the Lafayette Police Department a short time earlier. Trooper McKinney attempted to stop the vehicle for a traffic violation, but the driver refused to stop and fled southbound on State Road 25.
The Honda continued southbound before turning left onto County Road 350 West. Trooper McKinney pursued the vehicle across multiple county roads in Tippecanoe County, Fountain County, and Warren County. The pursuit concluded when the vehicle left the roadway and became stuck in the snow at the intersection of County Road 1000 East and County Road 450 North in Warren County. The driver was safely taken into custody.
During the investigation, Trooper McKinney gathered information leading him to believe the driver was under the influence of a controlled substance. The driver, identified as Zander Wilson, was transported to the Tippecanoe County Jail.
Arrested and preliminary charges:
Zander Wilson, 19, Williamsport, Indiana
Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, Level 6 Felony
Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangerment, Class A Misdemeanor
Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance, Class C Misdemeanor
Reckless Driving, Class C Misdemeanor
Minor in Possession of Alcohol, Class C Misdemeanor
Trooper McKinney was assisted by troopers from the Lafayette Post, the Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office, the Fountain County Sheriff’s Office, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lafayette Police Department.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.