Names of Indiana teens killed in stolen SUV crash released

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) - St. Joseph County officials have identified two teenagers who died after the stolen SUV they were in crashed during a police chase.

South Bend police say 16-year-old Samuel Phillips died at the hospital, and his brother, 15-year-old Jermaine Fleming, died at the scene of the Tuesday morning crash. The other two teenagers, a 17-year-old and a 15-year-old, were in stable condition in a hospital on Wednesday.

Investigators said South Bend Police Officer Nathan Gates attempted to stop the vehicle around 5:15 a.m. Tuesday, but the driver didn't stop. Phillips was driving the SUV without a license and hit a maximum speed of 75 mph before crashing into a tree, according to police.

Mishawaka Police Capt. Tim Spencer said Gates showed "great restraint" by reaching a maximum speed of just 65 mph. Other officers also tried to end the chase by deploying a "stop stick" in an attempt to deflate the SUV's tires, but Phillips went around the device, investigators said.

County Prosecutor Ken Cotter said Gates and other officers acted properly throughout the chase.

"This goes without saying, this was a tragedy to everyone involved," Cotter said. "But the officers had to do their job. The officers maintained proper decorum in the manner they were attempting to stop the vehicle."

Cotter said neither of the surviving teens is likely to face criminal charges.

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This story has been corrected to show the chase began Tuesday, not Wednesday.