WHITLEY COUNTY – A high speed pursuit across three counties ended in a fiery crash that killed a police dog Wednesday afternoon.

The dog died when the fleeing vehicle attempted to avoid stop sticks on US 30 in Whitley County and struck a sheriff’s squad car. The impact caused the police car to burst into flames. The deputy was not hurt.

The chase began shortly after Plymouth Police reported a carjacking near the LifePlex gym near US 30.

A state trooper spotted the vehicle headed east on US 30. Other police officers arrived and a high-risk stop was attempted in Kosciusko County. The vehicle pulled to side of the road and a passenger got out. Then the car sped off again heading east on US 30.

The chase entered Whitley County where the crash occurred near 450 West.

The driver – whose name was not released – was treated at a local hospital for minor injuries. The investigation closed both sides of US 30 for several hours.