Jasmine Hopps, 40, of Chicago, Illinois, is facing multiple felony charges after authorities say she led an Indiana State Police trooper on a pursuit that began on Interstate 94 near Chesterton and ended in a crash on U.S. 20.

According to court documents, an Indiana State Police trooper was monitoring eastbound traffic on I-94 around 9:53 a.m. on August 4 when he observed Hopps driving a 2008 Honda Pilot in the left lane at a reduced speed. The trooper also noticed the vehicle’s Illinois license plate was partially obstructed by a license plate frame.

Police said when the trooper initiated a traffic stop near the 21-mile marker, the SUV briefly appeared as though it would pull over before accelerating away, leading officers on a pursuit. The chase continued onto U.S. 20, where investigators allege Hopps reached speeds of up to 90 mph, drove on the shoulder to pass another vehicle, and at one point traveled into oncoming traffic for several seconds.

According to court records, during the pursuit investigators observed items being thrown from the vehicle, including what appeared to be a digital scale and several bags. Officers later recovered marijuana dispensary bags, a broken digital scale, and approximately 14.5 grams of suspected marijuana from the roadway.

The pursuit ended at the intersection of U.S. 20 and Lawson Lane when the SUV left the roadway and struck a NIPSCO utility pole, bringing power lines down across the roadway. Police said Hopps was taken into custody at the scene after complying with officers’ commands.

Investigators said Hopps told them she fled because she did not have a valid driver’s license. Court documents state her Illinois driver’s license was revoked and the vehicle’s registration was suspended because of an insurance violation.

According to the affidavit, Hopps also admitted the marijuana recovered from the roadway belonged to her and said she threw it from the vehicle during the pursuit.

Hopps was treated for a shoulder injury and a possible bruised lung before being medically cleared and booked into the Porter County Jail.

Court records indicate Hopps has prior Illinois felony convictions for aggravated fleeing police and manufacture/delivery of cannabis, both from 2013 in Cook County.

Charges filed Aug. 5, 2026:

Resisting Law Enforcement Using a Vehicle with a Prior Vehicle-Related Resisting Conviction (Level 4 Felony)

Obstruction of Justice (Level 6 Felony)

Possession of Marijuana – Prior Drug Conviction (Class A Misdemeanor)

Reckless Driving Causing Property Damage (Class B Misdemeanor)

Operating a Vehicle with Suspended Registration (Class C Misdemeanor)