A suspect fled ISP Putnamville troopers and rammed the trooper's car.

Around 1:15 pm Thursday,  Indiana State Police Putnamville Trooper Colton Maynor was patrolling Putnam County and spotted a speeder going more than 20 mph over the speed limit. Trooper Maynor pulled the driver over near County Road 600 east, where the driver attempted to exit the truck. The driver was ordered to stay put with hands on the steering where. However, as Trooper Maynor approached, the driver placed the truck in reverse and accelerated, ramming into Trooper Maynor’s commission and pushing it into US 40.  The truck then drove through a ditch, fleeing eastbound on US 40.

After a quick review of the damage to Trooper Maynor’s vehicle and determining it was drivable, Trooper Maynor pursued the truck at a reduced speed, keeping it in his sight.  Trooper David Cox, Jr., was in the immediate area and was able to catch up to the truck near US 40 and County Road 1000 East. 

The driver then turned off of US 40 onto County Road 1000 East and continued traveling on several county roads.  While attempting to turn from one county road to another, the driver lost control of the truck, spinning out of control and into a ditch, disabling the truck. Troopers Maynor and Cox, Jr., then conducted a felony traffic stop and were able to take the suspect into custody without incident.  

The suspect was positively identified as Matthew L. Renten, 35, of Green Cove Springs, Florida.  Further investigation discovered that Renten displayed signs of impairment. 

Renten was provided the opportunity to submit to a certified chemical test and those results are currently pending through the Indiana Department of Toxicology.  Upon being medically cleared at the Putnam County Hospital, Renten was arrested and taken to the Putnam County Jail where he is currently being held.  

Renten was charged with Resisting Law Enforcement, Felony 6;  Reckless Driving, Class A Misdemeanor;  Leaving the Scene of a Crash, Class B Misdemeanor