Suspect charged with murder of Indiana state trooper

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH-TV) – Prosecutors have filed a murder charge against the man accused in the death of an Indiana State trooper.

Online court records show Terry DeWaine Sands II faces charges of murder, resisting law enforcement, and causing death with a vehicle while driving under the influence.

Investigators believe Sands caused the crash that killed Master Trooper James Bailey on March 3.

Fort Wayne police were chasing Sands when Trooper Bailey tried to deploy stop sticks to end the pursuit on I-69.

According to court documents filed in the case, police observed Sands drive at a “high rate of speed” and steer his jeep into the interstate median, striking Bailey.

In an interview with police after his arrest, detectives say Sands told them “he had ‘smoke dope’ one hour before” the crash.

Detectives say Sands also told them he “intended to hit Master Trooper Bailey’s car so that he would be the one dying instead of Master Trooper Bailey.”

DeKalb County Prosecutor Neal Blythe called filing the murder charge a “first step towards seeking justice.

“Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers continue to go out to the family of Master Trooper Bailey,” Blythe wrote in a news release. “They have been forced to face the most horrible tragedy any family could ever suffer.  Master Trooper Bailey served the people of DeKalb County and the State of Indiana with honor and courage, and his loss has left a hole in our community. “

A judge ordered Sands held without bond earlier this week.

Funeral services for Trooper Bailey are scheduled for Friday and Saturday

Sands pleaded not guilty in a court appearance Thursday. He will continue to be held in jail without bond, a judge ruled. He’s due back in court March 21 to discuss hiring an attorney.