Deputy Stacia Suzanne Alyea

Stacia Suzanne Alyea

Deputy Stacia Alyea was killed in an accident during a high-speed pursuit of a drunken driver which began on State Road 44.

As Deputy Alyea and two Shelbyville officers continued pursuing the driver into Rush County, Deputy Alyea's vehicle ran over stop sticks that had been placed on the highway, puncturing her squad car's tires. She lost control of her vehicle, veering off the right side of the road, then across the highway before hitting a tree. Deputy Alyea was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 23-year-old driver was arrested in Franklin County denying that the accident was his fault. He was originally charged with 14 offenses, but pleaded guilty to resisting law enforcement causing death and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Deputy Alyea had served with the Shelby County Sheriff's Department for five years and had received an award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving the previous week for her work in drunken driving enforcement. She previously served with the Shelbyville Police Department as a reserve officer and was a US Air Force veteran where she served as a police officer.

Deputy Alyea was survived by her husband, who serves as a captain with the sheriff's department, a 10-year-old son, twin 6-year-old daughters, three stepchildren, sister, two brothers and mother.