MARTINSVILLE, Ind. — August 11, 2025 – A 25-year-old Maryland man is facing a string of criminal charges after Indiana State Police say he led troopers on a high-speed chase at over 130 mph, nearly caused a collision, and was later found to be drunk and in possession of a “ghost gun.”
The Pursuit
According to court documents, the incident began around 10:49 p.m. on Aug. 6, when an Indiana State Police trooper clocked a gray Infiniti speeding northbound on State Road 37 in Monroe County at more than 100 mph in a 60 mph zone.
When the trooper activated his lights and siren, the driver — identified as Brandon D. Stewart of Beltsville, Maryland — accelerated. The chase continued toward Smithville Road, with speeds topping 125 mph, even through a 45 mph construction zone.
Stewart then merged onto I-69, where speeds hit 130 mph. At one point near the 128-mile marker, troopers said Stewart almost rear-ended another vehicle.
Attempts to Stop the Vehicle
Troopers deployed stop sticks twice during the pursuit, but both attempts failed to slow Stewart. The chase continued north toward Martinsville, with the Infiniti briefly exiting at Liberty Church Road before reentering the interstate.
The pursuit finally ended near the 142-mile marker in Morgan County, when Martinsville Police successfully used stop sticks to deflate the Infiniti’s front tires. Stewart was taken into custody without further incident.
Signs of Intoxication
Police said Stewart displayed multiple signs of impairment, including slurred speech and glassy eyes, and failed several field sobriety tests. A certified breath test at the Morgan County Jail showed his blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was 0.155, nearly twice Indiana’s legal limit of 0.08.
Ghost Gun Discovery
During the investigation, Stewart allegedly told troopers he had a firearm in the car. Police recovered a privately made “ghost gun” — a weapon without a serial number — which Stewart is prohibited from possessing.
Charges Filed
Stewart is facing the following charges:
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Resisting law enforcement with a vehicle – Level 6 felony
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Operating a vehicle with a BAC of 0.15 or more – Class A misdemeanor
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Operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person – Class A misdemeanor
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Operating a vehicle while intoxicated – Class C misdemeanor
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Reckless driving – Class C misdemeanor
Agencies Involved
The pursuit involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including:
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Indiana State Police
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Bloomington Police Department
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Martinsville Police Department
Authorities say Stewart told officers he was driving from Bedford, Indiana, back to Maryland at the time of the incident. He remains in custody pending further court proceedings.
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