Pubdate: Sun, 28 Jul 2002 Source: Indianapolis Star (IN) Copyright: 2002 Indianapolis Newspapers Inc. Contact: http://www.starnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/210 Author: R. Joseph Gelarden MAN WHO DIED AFTER POLICE CHASE FEARED JAIL, SISTER SAYS Michael Scott Ayers, 32, who police said shot himself in car, was being sought on warrants. A 32-year-old Indianapolis man who died Friday after leading State Police on a chase through three counties had missed a court appearance and did not want to go to jail, his sister said Saturday. Michael Scott Ayers, 1600 block of North Tibbs Avenue, was pulled from his car at 6:30 p.m. Friday after he shot himself, said Trooper Patrick Spellman. Ayers was pronounced dead at Wishard Memorial Hospital. A suicide note was found in his pocket, according to police. Mooresville police did not provide information on the incident, saying it is under investigation. Police said the chase began at 6:15 p.m. at the intersection of Hansel Parkway and Bethel Road in Mooresville after Ayers was reported for driving recklessly. Ayers fled east on Ind. 42 through Morgan County. He turned north on Ind. 37 and raced through Johnson County into Indianapolis. His car collided with a number of vehicles before it crashed at the intersection of Ind. 37 and Epler Avenue. Police said they believe Ayers shot himself in the head just before the crash. Ayers' sister, Janelle Eanes, said her brother was afraid that a missed court appearance would land him in jail. State Police confirmed Saturday that Ayers was wanted on warrants charging him with two counts of dealing in cocaine, one count of unlawful residential entry and one count of possession of a controlled substance. "He was a wonderful man, but had gotten in with the wrong crowd," Eanes said. Ayers' dog, which was in the car when it crashed, was taken to the Animal Control Division and will be adopted by one of Ayers' friends, Eanes said. "If he doesn't take the dog, I will," she said. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth