(La Porte County, IN) - A heat-sensing device on a drone was key in helping La Porte County Police locate a driver who fled on foot from a single-vehicle collision.

 

Just before 4 a.m. on Friday, officers responded to the 3100 block of West Small Road, where a 2008 Chevy Impala struck a utility pole and a tree.

 

The investigation shows that the driver was traveling above the speed limit when he struck a deer before hitting the pole and tree. The driver was reportedly wearing a black sweatshirt and red hat and was spotted grabbing some items from inside the vehicle before running away from the crash site.

 

The heat sensing device on the drone, hovering above the ground, detected the man via his body temperature about a half mile away. Officers responding to where he was detected found him near some horse stables.

 

Andrew Atwood, 33, of Michigan City told investigators he fled out of panic.

 

A warrant is being sought for his arrest on a Class B misdemeanor charge of Leaving the Scene of a Crash.