Police look for a possible second gun in vehicle pursuit

BROOKSTON, Ind. (WLFI) - Brookston resident Sue Fleser heard it before she saw anything.

"The crash was loud," Fleser said. "I looked and just that quick cops were all over."

The aftermath of the crash Fleser is referring to could still be seen Sunday on State Road 43 in Brookston. The crash was the result of a Saturday night police vehicle pursuit. Lafayette police tried to pull the car over in Tippecanoe County. They said the car matched a suspect vehicle description used in a home burglary earlier that evening. Police said a firearm was taken in that burglary.

The car landed in a yard of a Brookston home. The driver, 20-year-old Corey Kirts, was airlifted to an Indianapolis hospital. A female passenger was taken to a Lafayette hospital. The third passenger fled.

"The cop came up to the porch, and asked 'Did you see anybody run,' " Fleser said. "He said 'Get in the house and keep your door locked.' That's what we did."

As of Sunday that person has not been found.

Lafayette police are leading the investigation. Officers said they don't have any leads as to where the person may be. They said a gun matching the description of the one taken in the burglary was found in the wrecked car.

Sunday afternoon Lafayette police and Tippecanoe County Sheriff deputies searched a field on State Road 43. Officers confirmed they were looking for a possible second gun that was thrown out of the car during the pursuit.

Fesler said it was a lot of commotion for the normally quiet Brookston.

"You're just a little more alert," Fesler said. "Chances are if someone would have knocked on the door and I didn't know them I wouldn't go to the door."

The female passenger only had minor injuries. She has been questioned and released by police. Police said Kirts faces charges of residential burglary and resisting law enforcement.