LAKE COUNTY — An Illinois teen was arrested Sunday night after allegedly leading Indiana State Police on a high-speed pursuit reaching nearly 145 mph along Interstate 80 in Lake County.
According to Indiana State Police Sgt. Glen Fifield, the incident began around 10:10 p.m. on May 17 when Trooper Griffin was patrolling westbound on I-80 near Grant Street in Gary. While driving a semi-marked Ford Mustang patrol vehicle, the trooper observed a black Audi approaching at what appeared to be a high rate of speed.
Police said radar confirmed the Audi was traveling 91 mph in a posted 55 mph zone. The vehicle then allegedly passed the trooper and continued accelerating while making abrupt lane changes through traffic.
Trooper Griffin attempted to catch up to the Audi and paced the vehicle at approximately 93 mph before the driver accelerated even further to around 130 mph, according to police. When emergency lights were activated, the driver briefly slowed before fleeing westbound on I-80.
Authorities said the pursuit continued with speeds reaching approximately 145 mph.
Trooper Beers later entered I-80 from the Kennedy Avenue interchange and positioned ahead of the fleeing vehicle. Police said the Audi eventually voluntarily stopped near Indianapolis Boulevard in Hammond, where troopers conducted a felony stop.
The driver was identified as 18-year-old Damian Arzabek of Oswego, Illinois. He was taken into custody without further incident and transported to the Lake County Jail.
The following charges have been submitted to the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office for consideration:
- Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle — Level 6 Felony
- Reckless Driving — Class C Misdemeanor
All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
