Fatal car crash suspect had previous criminal record

By Gretchen Ross - bio | email

VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IN (WFIE) -  Authorities have identified the suspect in that fatal police chase crash Christmas night.

34-year-old Daniel Joe English II survived the accident that killed another driver and injured several people.

Last night just after 9, Evansville police say 34-year-old Daniel Joe English led EPD officers on a minute and half high speed pursuit on Green River, ending in English crossing the wrong side of the road colliding with another vehicle.

The crash killed 20- year-old Onterrio T. Sharp and injured five others. Police say once English is released from Deaconess hospital, He could face a long list of charges.

"Criminal recklessness, we are looking at a B felony of drunk driving while causing a death with a prior conviction of .15 or over, said EPD Chief Brad Hill.  "He will also be charged with a B felony for resisting law enforcement."

Even though English had a valid driver's license at the the time of the pursuit, Chief Hill says English's license has been suspended more than 20 times since 1994.

"He has an extensive record of driving issues specifically he has been arrested for drunk driving six times in the past," said Hill.

Hill says since the mid-90's English spent five years on the habitual traffic offender list and just got charged with a hit and run back in August.

"Here on the police department we keep harping over and over about the dangers of driving while intoxicated, said Hill.  "This individual apparently that has been his pattern for many, many years. Like I said he has served time in prison and unfortunately this has resulted in someone dying as a result of his actions."