Dewuan Hampton Obituary, Death – A fatal crash that occurred late Tuesday night in Indianapolis has claimed the life of 33-year-old Dewuan Hampton, authorities confirmed. The deadly incident happened following a high-speed police pursuit that started in a different county and ultimately ended in a catastrophic wreck. However, law enforcement officials are still unsure whether Hampton was the driver or a passenger in the vehicle that crashed.
The series of events began around 9:15 p.m. when a Henry County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop a maroon Dodge Durango for erratic driving on State Road 3 in New Castle. Instead of pulling over, the vehicle fled from the deputy, initiating a chase that would span across multiple counties. The suspect vehicle entered Interstate 70 and began traveling westbound, speeding through Hancock County and into Indianapolis. The driver eventually exited the highway at Post Road and proceeded north through city streets.
Although the initial pursuing deputy was called off the chase, Indiana State Police picked it up from there. Sergeant John Perrine, public information officer for Indiana State Police, said troopers monitored the pursuit as it weaved through various parts of the city. State police also decided to terminate the chase when safety concerns heightened due to increasing speeds and the vehicle’s erratic movements. “At any moment, when safety concerns are escalated for whatever reason, whether it be a populated area, extreme speeds, or reckless driving, that pursuit can be terminated in that moment,” Perrine explained.
Just minutes after the pursuit ended, the fleeing vehicle crashed violently at the intersection of East Washington Street and Mitthoefer Road. When police arrived at the scene, they found one of the vehicles flipped upside down, and debris scattered across the area. Tragically, Dewuan Hampton was ejected from the SUV during the impact and was pronounced dead at the scene. It remains unclear whether Hampton had been driving or was a passenger in the vehicle.
Three additional occupants in the SUV were rushed to local hospitals for treatment. As of now, authorities have not provided an update on their conditions. Additionally, two drivers of other vehicles involved in the crash sustained minor injuries.
Investigators found a troubling discovery among the wreckage—several firearms and ammunition. According to Sgt. Perrine, the collision’s violent force caused the weapons and magazines to be ejected from the SUV. “We know that we recovered several firearms, ammunition, and magazines that flew out of the vehicle when it was rolling. We have yet to search inside the car and see what else might be there,” he said.
Due to the severity of the crash and the need for a thorough investigation, police kept the intersection closed for more than four hours. During this time, investigators collected evidence, assessed the scene, and attempted to piece together exactly what happened in the moments leading up to the crash.
The pursuit and its tragic conclusion have raised concerns about the risks associated with high-speed chases, especially when they move into densely populated areas. Law enforcement officials emphasize that their goal is to ensure public safety while also holding lawbreakers accountable. “I think it comes down to if there are police lights behind you, pull over,” Sgt. Perrine said. “We don’t want to endanger anyone, but we also recognize that laws without consequences are merely suggestions. We must ensure that those who break laws are held accountable for their actions.”
At this stage, authorities have not confirmed whether the vehicle’s occupants, including Hampton, were involved in any criminal activity prior to the chase. However, the discovery of multiple weapons at the scene has prompted further scrutiny, and a search of the vehicle’s interior is expected to provide more information.
The incident serves as a grim reminder of how quickly a situation can spiral out of control when suspects choose to flee from law enforcement. The outcome of this pursuit has not only claimed a life but has left several others injured and has led to an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the chase and crash.
As of now, no charges have been filed against the surviving occupants of the vehicle, and police have not released their identities. Investigators continue working to determine whether anyone else may be held responsible or if additional criminal activity was involved.
Members of the public with any information about the crash or the people involved are encouraged to contact local law enforcement. The Indiana State Police are leading the investigation, and updates will be released as new information becomes available.
For now, the community mourns the loss of Dewuan Hampton while questions remain about what led to the chase and whether it could have been avoided. As law enforcement reviews pursuit policies and continues its probe, the hope is to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
