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Officer dies in crash during chase in southern Indiana

Posted December 13, 2018 6:00 am

The Associated Press

CHARLESTOWN, Ind. (AP) - Authorities say a 33-year-old police officer has died after crashing while chasing a man who allegedly fled a traffic stop in southern Indiana.

State police say Charlestown Officer Benton Bertram tried to stop a car for a traffic violation Wednesday night near the Clark County community and the driver fled into Scott County. During the chase, the officer's vehicle went off the road and hit a tree in the front yard of a home.

Police say Bertram was pronounced dead at the scene. Police later found the car and arrested the suspected driver, 35-year-old Benjamin Eads of Freedom. Eads faces preliminary charges including resisting law enforcement causing death and auto theft. Court records don't list a lawyer for Eads.

Bertram was a 9-year veteran of the Charlestown Police Department.

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