One killed, one injured while fleeing from Elkhart Co. deputies

A driver was seriously injured and his passenger was killed when their vehicle crashed into a semi while fleeing from a deputy, according to the Elkhart County Sheriff's Office.

Around 9:30 a.m. Monday, a deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle on CR 7, north of CR 6, for an equipment violation.

The driver of the vehicle accelerated quickly and illegally passed 3 vehicles, deputies said.

As the vehicle approached D.I. Drive, it collided with a semi that was making a left turn from CR 7 to D.I. Drive, reports said.

The passenger of the vehicle, a 40-year-old man, died at the scene.

The driver, 53-year-old Roger Rhodes, was taken to the hospital with internal injuries, deputies said.

Rhodes has valid warrants for escape from work release – no bond; theft; and operating after forfeiture of license, reports said.

The Elkhart County Homicide Unit will investigate the incident and the Indiana State Police will conduct the accident reconstruction.

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