James L. Slabaugh II
STEUBEN CO., Ind. (ADAMS) – The Steuben County Sheriff’s Office says that an Angola man is facing a felony charge and several misdemeanors after leading police on a motorcycle pursuit.
Just after 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, police responded to a home in the 4400 block of County Road W. 400 N. for a complaint of invasion of privacy.
According to the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office, when officers arrived, they learned that 48-year-old James L. Slabaugh II, of rural Angola, was reportedly just at the home which violated a protective order.
During the investigation, officials say that Slabaugh reportedly fled authorities on a motorcycle and officers took off after him.
Police said Slabaugh turned onto County Road N. 425 W. and crashed south of Binkley Road.
Slabaugh was thrown from the motorcycle onto the ground – he was not wearing a helmet. He was taken to the hospital for complaints of pain. After he was medically cleared police took him into custody.
Police believe alcohol may have been a factor in his crash.
The Steuben County Sheriff’s Office released the following:
On 05/28/2023 just after 5:30 pm, Steuben County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a residence in the 4400 block of West CR 400 N in rural Pleasant Township for a complaint of invasion of privacy. Information received by Sheriff’s Communications indicated that a male subject was reportedly on the property in violation of a protective order. Upon the arrival of initial responding deputies, a male subject was located inside an outbuilding and identified as the subject of an active protective order.
During the course of the initial invasion of privacy investigation, the male suspect found inside the outbuilding fled from Sheriff’s deputies on a motorcycle. A short high speed vehicle pursuit ensued westbound on CR 400 N before turning north on CR 425 W. Shortly after traveling north on CR 425 W from CR 400 N, the vehicle chase ended with the motorcycle leaving the roadway and crashing south of Binkley Rd.
A subsequent crash investigation was conducted by the Sheriff’s Office and determined that a maroon 2009 Harley-Davidson motorcycle driven by 48 year old James L. Slabaugh II of rural Angola, was traveling northbound on CR 425 W at a high rate of speed when Slabaugh failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway causing the motorcycle to leave the east side of CR 425 W. The motorcycle continued in a northeasterly direction and overturned causing Slabaugh to be thrown from the motorcycle onto the ground.
Slabaugh was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and complained of shoulder pain. He was transported to Parkview Regional Medical Center by Steuben County EMS in stable condition for treatment. The weather and roadway conditions were clear at the time of the crash and alcohol is believed to be a factor. Following medical treatment at the hospital, Slabaugh was booked into the Steuben County Jail on the following preliminary charges.
Invasion of Privacy, class A misdemeanor Resisting Law Enforcement, class A misdemeanor Resisting Law Enforcement, level 6 felony Unlawful Carrying of A Handgun, class A misdemeanor Reckless Driving, class C misdemeanor Aggressive Driving, class A misdemeanor Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, class A misdemeanor
Slabaugh remains held without bond pending an initial court appearance. The incident remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office. Assisting the Sheriff’s Office at the crash scene were Angola Police, Angola Fire, and Steuben County EMS.
