An Indianapolis man was arrested Thursday night after sheriff’s deputies pursued and caught him recklessly driving on the westside of Evansville according to the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies observed Steve Eugene Edwards II, 34, abruptly travel across three lanes of traffic on the westbound Lloyd Expressway near University Parkway around 6:35 p.m. Motorists had to make evasive maneuvers to avoid a collision with Edwards, who was driving a maroon Kia Optima.

Edwards fled south on University Parkway as deputies attempted to stop the vehicle. The vehicle drove around the round-about three times before driving through a university checkpoint, which was set up to restrict access due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Public Safety officers were standing by the checkpoint as the vehicle approached according to a press release from the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office.

The vehicle came to a halt in front of the Screaming Eagles Arena as deputies, who were stationed on campus, arrived in the area.

Deputies arrested Edwards, who gave multiple contradicting reasons as to why he did not stop for emergency vehicles according to the Sheriff’s Office. A search of Edwards’ vehicle revealed he was in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. 

Edwards was booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail at 8:03 p.m. with no bond on charges of resisting law enforcement, reckless driving, criminal recklessness, violation of a state emergency order and possession of marijuana.