Running from police generally works better when the vehicle you leave behind isn’t simultaneously rolling toward their cruiser. Fort Wayne police say 45-year-old Rahiem Shawn Kubisty fled from an SUV on foot after a pursuit, only for the driverless vehicle to roll backward and crash into the police vehicle behind it.
The incident began at approximately 12:26 a.m. on September 12 when an officer spotted a blue SUV traveling north on Lafayette Street near Hanna Street. According to police, the SUV’s lights repeatedly switched on and off before eventually remaining off as it continued down the road.
The officer activated his emergency lights near Lafayette and Paulding to stop the SUV for driving without its required lights, but police say the driver continued. After the officer activated his siren near Lafayette and Petit, the SUV stopped at a red light, then drove through it and continued north with both its headlights and taillights still off.
Police pursued the SUV with the cruiser’s emergency lights and siren activated until the driver abruptly stopped near Dewald and Barr streets. What happened next turned the vehicle pursuit into a foot chase and gave officers a second problem to deal with.
Driver Runs Away but Leaves SUV in Reverse
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Police say Kubisty put the SUV in reverse, got out, and took off running from the scene. Without anyone behind the wheel, the SUV rolled backward and crashed into the Fort Wayne police vehicle that had stopped behind it.
The officer chased Kubisty and caught up with him in the 300 block of Butler Street, where other officers were attempting to take him into custody. Police say Kubisty struggled with officers briefly before they were able to place him in handcuffs.
Three Fort Wayne police officers suffered minor injuries during the incident, although the department did not provide additional details about how each officer was hurt. Kubisty was transported to Lutheran Downtown for medical clearance before being taken to the Allen County Jail.
Jail Records Show Kubisty Being Held Without Bond
Police said a check of Bureau of Motor Vehicles records identified Kubisty as a habitual traffic violator. The department listed preliminary charges of Level 6 felony resisting law enforcement in a vehicle and Level 6 felony habitual traffic violator, along with misdemeanor charges involving fleeing on foot, physically resisting law enforcement, and leaving the scene of a property-damage crash.
Allen County Jail records show Kubisty was booked on September 12 and lists charges for fleeing law enforcement in a vehicle, fleeing on foot, physically resisting law enforcement, leaving the scene of a property-damage crash, and being a habitual traffic violator. Each of the five entries was listed with no bond at the time of the available jail record.
The Fort Wayne Police Department said the entire incident remains under review by its Internal Affairs Division and the Allen County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The charges against Kubisty remain accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.