Fort Wayne, IN – Indiana State Police (ISP) Trooper Aaron Smith died in the line of duty on Wednesday night after he was hit by a fleeing vehicle while deploying stop sticks on the roadway.

The incident occurred on the west side of Indianapolis on Ronald Reagan Parkway just north of Interstate 70, WPTA reported.

Investigators said officers were pursuing a stolen car when Trooper Smith, 33, attempted to end the chase by deploying stop sticks at about 8:40 p.m. on June 28.

But as Trooper Smith was deploying the tire-deflation devices onto the roadway, the suspect vehicle slammed into him, throwing him into the air, WPTA reported.

The ISP confirmed the critically-injured trooper was rushed to Eskenazi Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries, according to WTHR.

Investigators said the driver and two passengers inside the suspect vehicle were transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, WPTA reported.

The driver of the stolen SUV has been identified as 18-year-old Eddie Jones, WTHR reported.

Jones has been charged with murder.

Police said his passenger, 19-year-old DeMareon Curry, has preliminary been charged with felony auto theft, WTHR reported.

They were booked into the Hendricks County Jail early Thursday morning.

The third occupant in the stolen vehicle was a 15-year-old girl who had been reported as missing out of Missouri, according to police.

The teen was not charged in connection with the chase and was being returned to Missouri on Thursday, WTHR reported.

Trooper Smith served the ISP for nearly five years, WPTA reported.

He earned a degree in aviation management from Indiana State University with a minor in unmanned air systems prior to joining the ISP, according to WTHR.

Trooper Smith also served in the Army National Guard.

“He was one of those guys that stood out,” ISP Superintendent Douglas Carter said in the wake of the young trooper’s death, according to WXIN. “Not to be cliché, but he was a shining star for the Indiana State Police.”

“This is a tremendously sad day for the entire Indiana State Police family,” Superintendent Carter continued. “We will band together as we always do in support of Trooper Smith’s family, friends and co-workers.”

Trooper Smith leaves behind his wife.

“I would trade places if I could take away her pain,” Superintendent Carter said, according to WTHR.

A procession of law enforcement vehicles escorted the fallen hero’s body to the Marion County Coroner’s Office early Thursday morning, WTHR reported.

The body Indiana State Trooper Aaron Smith being escorted to the Marion County Coroner’s Office. Smith was struck and killed Wednesday night during a vehicle chase near the Indianapolis Int’l Airport. @WISH_TV pic.twitter.com/qVoRBPEona

— Adam Pinsker (@AdamPinsker) June 29, 2023

New: Indiana State Police Trooper Aaron Smith loved the community he served. I ran into him while off-duty passing out food to tornado survivors in Johnson County in March. @wrtv @IndyFOP86 @ISPIndianapolis pic.twitter.com/Q3XzNdHEtQ

— Rafael Sánchez (@RafaelOnTV) June 29, 2023

My heart goes out to Superintendent Carter & the law enforcement community after learning of the passing of @IndStatePolice Trooper Aaron Smith.

He was struck & killed while attempting to put down stop sticks during a vehicle pursuit in Indianapolis. He leaves behind his wife. pic.twitter.com/f8tpglCUfF

— Rep. Maureen Bauer (@Maureen4Indiana) June 29, 2023

We extend our thoughts and prayers to the family, friends, and colleagues of Trooper Aaron Smith of the Indiana State Police. On June 28, Trooper Smith was struck and killed by the driver of a stolen vehicle near Plainfield. @IndStatePolice @NatlTroopers @NLEOMF #HonorTheFallen pic.twitter.com/59tdDImG7n

— U. S. Marshals Survivors Benefit Fund (@USMarshalsFund) June 29, 2023

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Indiana State Police Trooper Aaron Smith, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.

Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.