By Shawn Henry 
A Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office jail officer is facing multiple criminal charges after police say he fled at high speed and crashed his vehicle during a chase in Evansville. Authorities confirmed the officer is no longer employed by the Sheriff’s Office as the investigation continues.
According to an affidavit, Evansville Police Department officers observed an orange Dodge Charger speeding northbound on U.S. 41 near Columbia Street. Police said the Charger was traveling alongside a red Ford Mustang, with both vehicles exceeding the speed limit. Officers reported that the Charger was making aggressive lane changes while accelerating rapidly.
Investigators estimated the Charger reached speeds of approximately 100 miles per hour in a zone posted for 45 miles per hour. Police said officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver continued northbound. The pursuit ended when the Charger crashed into a parking lot near the intersection of U.S. 41 and South Road 57, causing property damage.
The driver was identified as 20-year-old Hezekiah Fils-Aime, who at the time was employed as a jail officer with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office. Police said a passenger was also in the vehicle. The passenger told officers they did not understand why the driver was operating the car aggressively.
According to police, Fils-Aime told officers he was driving northbound on U.S. 41 near Lynch Road when a Mustang pulled up next to him at a traffic light. He said both vehicles accelerated when the light changed but denied knowing the Mustang’s driver or participating in a race.
Following the crash, officers arrested Fils-Aime and booked him into the Vanderburgh County Jail. He faces multiple charges, including resisting law enforcement, reckless driving at high speed, participating in a motor vehicle speed contest, and reckless driving resulting in property damage.
Sheriff Noah Robinson addressed public reaction to the arrest, emphasizing that the Sheriff’s Office holds its employees to strict professional standards. He expressed concern about online speculation suggesting favoritism or a cover-up, stating that such claims are unfounded and inconsistent with the agency’s record. Robinson also stressed that misconduct is not tolerated and that accountability applies to all personnel.
Authorities confirmed that Fils-Aime is no longer employed by the Sheriff’s Office. Police said the case remains under investigation, and additional information may be released as it becomes available.
Source/Image via Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office