Quintonio Roshell, 19, of Gary, was charged after a Lyft driver told police Roshell choked him during a ride, then chased him with a steel bat after their SUV crashed into a Gary home.

The incident happened Oct. 24. Gary police responded at about 1:31 p.m. to the area of 37th Avenue and Madison Street, where an orange SUV had crashed into the front of a residence near the 3700 block of Madison Street. The vehicle’s airbags had deployed.

People at the scene told officers the driver was being chased by a man carrying a steel bat. Lake County officers located and detained both men about a block away, the affidavit said. A witness who had been inside the home told police he heard the crash, went outside and saw a man with a bat chasing the driver. The witness said the driver yelled that the man with the bat had tried to kill him and reported hearing the man threaten to kill the driver.

The driver told police he was working for Lyft and had picked up Roshell near the 6300 block of Calumet Avenue in Hammond. They drove to Gary without speaking, according to the affidavit. As the driver stopped near Roshell’s destination, Roshell allegedly grabbed him from behind and put him in a chokehold, restricting his breathing.

Police reviewed footage from a camera inside the vehicle. It showed the driver behind the wheel and Roshell in the rear passenger seat. The men were not speaking before Roshell suddenly lunged toward the driver and wrapped his arms around the driver’s throat, the affidavit said. The driver tried to pull Roshell’s arms away and was nearly lifted off his seat as Roshell choked him.

The driver said he struggled to break free and his foot came off the brake and hit the gas, causing the SUV to accelerate into the home. He said the collision and deployment of the airbags caused Roshell to release him. The affidavit says the video showed Roshell choking the driver while the vehicle was moving and was consistent with the driver’s account.

After the crash, the driver got out and called for help. He told police Roshell went into a nearby residence, returned with a red steel bat and chased him while yelling, “I’m going to kill you.” The driver said he feared for his life. Doorbell-camera footage showed Roshell getting out of the vehicle and staggering toward the residence.

The driver had a busted lip, a swollen jaw, cuts on his knees and fingers, and complained of neck pain. Medics checked him at the scene, but he declined transport. He later told investigators he went to a hospital and planned to provide medical records.

During a police interview, Roshell said the driver was “acting weird” and pressed the brake hard, causing Roshell’s body to jerk. Roshell said he got out and walked toward his residence. When a detective told him there was video of the incident, Roshell said he had nothing else to say and ended the interview.

Charges filed Oct. 26, 2026:

Intimidation, where the defendant draws or uses a deadly weapon — Level 5 felony

Strangulation — Level 6 felony

Battery resulting in moderate bodily injury — Level 6 felony

Criminal recklessness — Class A misdemeanor