Indy Man Charged After Hitting Marathon Runner and Two Cars in Downtown Indy

Accident – Death – Obituary News : INDIANAPOLIS – Local authorities have charged an Indianapolis man after he allegedly struck a marathon runner and two vehicles, including an unmarked police cruiser, with his sedan in October.

According to court documents, the incident took place on October 28 at Monument Circle, prompting a call to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) regarding the hit-and-run incident. Police officers at the scene reported that a male driver in a red sedan had struck a pedestrian and two vehicles before fleeing.

Fortunately, the runner who was hit also left the scene and no injuries were reported. IMPD later located the vehicle by using the license plate number and found it on 46th and Binford Avenue. The police conducted a traffic stop and detained the driver, identified as 19-year-old Joseph Kelly.

During the investigation, authorities spoke with a Clayton police officer who was assisting with traffic control during the downtown marathon event. The officer stated that he observed Kelly becoming impatient due to the heavy traffic and making an attempt to move forward. In an effort to get Kelly’s attention, the officer placed his hands on the hood of the vehicle. However, Kelly reportedly accelerated and drove past the officer, hitting a runner in the process.

At this point, a nearby detective witnessed the incident and tried to stop Kelly by positioning his unmarked cruiser in the southbound lane of traffic. The detective, in full uniform with his firearm drawn, ordered Kelly to stop. However, Kelly ignored the commands and proceeded to strike the detective’s cruiser as well as another vehicle in the northbound lane. Despite the detective’s efforts, Kelly fled the scene.

During questioning, Kelly admitted to fleeing the accident because he was afraid of an officer pointing a firearm at him. Additionally, he offered money to the officer to take him home instead of arresting him.

As a result of his actions, Kelly now faces charges of criminal recklessness and resisting law enforcement, both Level 6 felonies, along with two counts of failure to remain at the scene of an accident, a Class B misdemeanor. While an initial hearing was scheduled for November 15 at 2 p.m., an arrest warrant was issued on the same day.

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of obeying traffic laws and respecting the presence of law enforcement officers during public events. The IMPD and other law enforcement agencies work diligently to ensure the safety and security of the community, and incidents like these highlight the need for responsible driving behavior..