Ball State policeman crashes while giving students ‘joyride’

MUNCIE – A Muncie police officer exceeded speeds of 60 mph Tuesday on campus while taking three Ball State University freshmen on a “joyride” that ended when he crashed his squad car near the LaFollette Complex, Muncie Police Chief Joe Winkle said. \nOfficer Jason Lyons, 38, said the BSU students encouraged him to run through red lights and speed before he slammed into a light pole around 1 a.m., Winkle said. \n“It really doesn’t matter if they were encouraging him; he’s a police officer,” he said. \nPassengers Stacie Walters, Sommer Ann Redmon and Billie Wrede all refused to comment on the situation. \nLyons, who was on duty at the time of the wreck, is on administrative leave with pay for 10 days, Winkle said, pending whatever disciplinary action needs to be taken. Based on the investigation results, the six-year veteran of the force could be fired for his actions. \n“If I had the authority, I would have fired him this morning,” Winkle said. \nLyons was at the Village Pantry, 1524 W. University Ave., when three students asked if he could give them a ride home, Winkle said. \n“It is not uncommon for an officer to give a ride, but Lyons did not go directly to the dorm,” he said. \nLyons was driving 60 to 80 mph when he turned onto Bethel Avenue and around McKinley Avenue, Winkle said. Witnesses said when he curved near the Duck Pond, he hit a light pole and skidded across the curb. Winkle said alcohol or other substance use was not a factor in the crash. \n“He was driving like an idiot, and it’s unfathomable about what he was thinking,” Winkle said. “He made a mistake, but one that can’t be made.” \nEyewitnesses said when Lyons crashed, he told the students in the car to get out and leave the area. \n“He knew he was in trouble when he wrecked and probably wanted the girls to get out because he’d be in more trouble with people in the car,” Winkle said. \nWinkle said Lyons did about $10,000 worth of damage, mainly to the car. \nGene Burton, Ball State’s director of public safety, said Ball State Police were called to the scene to help with the accident, and an ambulance was called because one of the students was bleeding from the head.\nLyons initially lied about people being in the car when he crashed, but later told a crowd of about 50 people that students were in the vehicle. \nAt first, Lyons told the crowd he spilled his beverage, lost control and hit the curb, but Winkle said Lyons later admitted to his lieutenant he had been speeding. \nFreshman exercise major Ryan Lee said he was in his room when he heard the screech and looked out his window. \n“It was weird to see that a cop did it,” Lee said.