Allegations detailed in a news release from Greensburg Police Chief Mike McNealy
On March 03 2023 at approximately 11:19 p.m. an officer from the City of
Greensburg Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 74 near the 134 mile
marker. The vehicle was stopped for numerous violations. The vehicle was a red Volkswagon
Jetta occupied by two subjects.
While the Greensburg Police Officer was speaking to the occupants of the vehicle they noticed
the odor of marijuana coming from the inside of the vehicle. The officer believed that the driver
was giving false identity statements due to lack of knowledge of personal information. The
officer asked the passenger Darrell Rhyme to exit the vehicle. Rhyme refused to exit the
vehicle. The officer continued to give commands for Rhyme to exit the vehicle. The officer
noticed that Jamesha McChristine (the driver) kept touching the gear shift. The officer told
McChristine to put the vehicle in park and that is when McChristine drove off at a high rate of
speed.
McChristine drove in excess of one hundred miles per hour on Interstate 74 where the speed
limit is seventy miles per hour. McChristine exited the Interstate at the 143 exit and then got
right back on Interstate 74 traveling eastbound.
McChristine exited the interstate at the 149 mile marker. Once off of the interstate McChristine
and Rhyme fled the vehicle on foot near the intersection of I-74 and Main Street. McChristine
and Rhyme were both taken into custody following short foot pursuits. During the foot pursuit
Rhyme ignored the commands of the officers to stop resisting. A Taser was deployed by an
assisting agency and Rhyme was taken into custody. Once Rhyme was in custody he
immediately received medical treatment for injuries sustained during a fall in the foot pursuit.
McChristine was transported to the Decatur County Jail. Rhyme was transported by ambulance
to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries and later released for further treatment.
McChristine was charged on allegations involving Resisting Law Enforcement with a motor vehicle a Level 6 Felony, Identity Deception a level 6 Felony, Forgery a Level 6 Felony, Reckless Driving a
Class A Misdemeanor, Possession of Marijuana a Class B Misdemeanor and Operating a Motor
Vehicle While Never Receiving a License a Class C Misdemeanor. Rhyme was charged on allegations involving Resisting Law Enforcement a Class A Misdemeanor and Possession of Marijuana a Class B
Misdemeanor.
As part of the investigation the Decatur County Prosecutors Office has received over four and
one half hours of body camera, in-car camera and business security footage.
The Greensburg Police Department would like to thank all agencies who assisted in this case.
We would also like to thank members of the public who commented on social media. Due to
assistance we were able to obtain the true identity of Rhyme who had also provided false
identity statements.
An internal review has been conducted and determined that no violation of Greensburg Police
Department Policy or Procedure occurred.
Under law, criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent
unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.