Shaquelle Tremell Walker, 30, of Gary, allegedly led police on a high-speed pursuit from Lake County into Illinois with a woman, a 3-month-old infant and a 3-year-old child inside the vehicle.
According to a probable-cause affidavit, a Lake County officer received a stolen-vehicle alert at approximately 2:16 a.m. July 23 for a black Toyota Highlander traveling north on Interstate 65.
The officer entered I-65 from U.S. 231 and located the Highlander traveling north near U.S. 30. As the officer attempted to verify the vehicle’s registration, the Highlander allegedly accelerated and moved into the far-left lane.
Police activated emergency lights and sirens, but the driver allegedly continued accelerating and reached 117 mph.
The Highlander continued north on I-65 before entering westbound Interstate 80 toward Illinois. Police said the vehicle traveled recklessly across every lane of the interstate, swerving from the far-right lane to the far-left lane.
An officer who pulled alongside the Highlander reportedly saw a man wearing a white shirt and short dreadlocks driving while a woman sat in the front passenger seat.
The driver allegedly accelerated and swerved in an attempt to evade police, nearly causing multiple crashes before entering Illinois.
The pursuit continued onto Interstate 294 and then north on Halsted Street, where the Highlander allegedly reached 112 mph in a 45 mph zone. Police said the driver ran multiple red lights and swerved through traffic.
As the Highlander traveled north on Vincennes Road near 119th Street, the driver allegedly entered the southbound lanes and drove toward oncoming traffic.
The driver then turned west onto 115th Street, which police described as a one-way street intended for eastbound traffic. The Highlander allegedly reached 74 mph in a residential area with a posted speed limit of 25 mph.
Police said the vehicle jumped railroad tracks near 115th and Church streets, began losing control and struck another vehicle head-on. The Highlander rolled over during the crash near 115th Street and Longwood Avenue.
Officers found Walker, the woman and the two young children inside the overturned vehicle. Police removed the 3-month-old infant and 3-year-old child and began providing medical assistance.
The woman told police both children were her sons and that Walker was the infant’s father. She reportedly said she repeatedly told Walker to let her and the children out during the pursuit and felt she was being held against her will.
Walker allegedly refused to identify himself and claimed he had not been driving. He told police an unidentified second man had driven during the pursuit but said he did not know that person’s name.
Police later identified Walker and learned he had outstanding warrants from Cook County, Illinois, Lake County and LaPorte County.
All four occupants were transported by ambulance to a local hospital following the crash.
Court records show Walker was convicted of aggravated fleeing in Cook County in May 2016.
Lodged in the Lake County Jail on August 28,2026.
Charges filed August 19,2026:
Resisting Law Enforcement Using a Vehicle With a Prior Vehicle-Related Resisting Conviction, Level 4 felony
Resisting Law Enforcement Using a Vehicle Creating a Substantial Risk of Injury, Level 5 felony — four counts
Walker also has three unrelated criminal cases pending.
Charges filed June 4, 2025, in Lake County:
Identity Deception, Level 6 felony
Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A misdemeanor
Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Ever Receiving a License, Class C misdemeanor
Charges filed June 20, 2025, in Lake County:
Fraud Involving a Loss Between $750 and $50,000, Level 6 felony — two counts
Charges filed Oct. 3, 2025, in LaPorte County:
Counterfeiting, Level 6 felony
Fraud Involving a Loss Between $750 and $50,000, Level 6 felony
