Drunk Teen Totals 3 Cars Including Sheriff Squad
On Saturday, April 20th,2024 at 3:54 AM Cedar Lake Officers Sabrina Stolarz, Cpl. Doug Machalk, and Cpl. Jason Allende were dispatched to the 14600 block of Cline Ave for a vehicle that struck several parked vehicles and a house.
On arrival it was determined Isaiah Garcia a 19-year-old from Schererville had crashed a 2005 Chevrolet utility work truck into three vehicles parked in a driveway, ultimately pushing those vehicles into the house and fence at this location. Isaiah stated he was driving at 60 MPH in a posted 30 MPH zone and stated he was using his cell phone and looking down.
Isaiah had minor injuries and was suspected of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Isaiah was transported to a local hospital where a warrant was obtained for a blood draw after Isaiah refused to submit to an
alcohol test.
Isaiah was traveling eastbound on W. 147th Ave which comes to an end at Cline Ave. Isaiah did not stop at the stop sign and left skid marks, before hitting an off-duty Lake County Sheriff’s police vehicle, pushing that into a Dodge Durango and a Jeep. All three vehicles including the vehicle driven by Isaiah sustained heavy damage. The Dodge Durango was then pushed into the house, the gas meter and air conditioner, as well as a fence. The vehicles and house are owned
by the off-duty Lake County Sheriff’s Police Officer, and his wife who reside at this location.
The Officer’s county police vehicle was parked in the driveway. The Officer and his wife were inside the house at the time, no injuries were reported.
Isaiah was released from the hospital then transported and lodged in the Lake County Jail. Isaiah will be charged with OVWI Endangering, OVWI, Driving While Suspended Prior Conviction, Reckless Driving, and Minor in Consumption of Alcohol. Isaiah was also issued citations for Distracted Driving, Operating a Motor Vehicle without Financial Responsibility, and Disregarding a Stop Sign.
This case remains under investigation pending the toxicology report. All parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
