LA PORTE COUNTY, Ind. -- A 44-year-old man is dead after his truck hit a tree while he was fleeing from La Porte County Sheriff's Office deputies Wednesday afternoon. 

Around 3:48 p.m. on March 12, LCSO deputies were called to the area of C.R. 150 North and C.R. 500 West regarding a wanted person later identified as Robert F. Bartels, who was seen driving a sliver pickup truck.

At 4:04 PM, deputies spotted a truck matching the description of Bartels' truck heading north on C.R. 500 West.

"A traffic stop was attempted, however the vehicle failed to yield, and fled westbound on C.R. 250 North from C.R. 500 West triggering a motor vehicle pursuit," the LCSO said.

"In the 6300 west block of C.R. 250 North, the pickup truck traveled off the north side of the roadway and crashed into a tree."

Bartels had to be extricated from the pickup truck and was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Bartels had been wanted by the La Porte Police Department for Leaving the Scene, Class B-Misdemeanor," the LCSO said.

"Toxicology test results are pending. The crash remains under investigation and no further information is available for release".