Driver Arrested After Allegedly Driving Drunk Through Lake Station Parade, Nearly Hitting Spectators

A man is facing multiple criminal charges after allegedly driving drunk through the closed parade route of Lake Station’s Independence Day celebration on July 3, 2025, nearly striking spectators including a firefighter and a young child and forcing police to conduct a high-risk traffic stop during the event.

According to an affidavit filed by the Lake Station Police Department, officers say Richard Eldo Yakel, 56, of Portage, drove a red Ford Expedition westbound against the flow of parade traffic around 5:30 p.m. The vehicle was reported to have come dangerously close to several groups of spectators, including juveniles, during the parade, which was filled with emergency vehicles and had roads closed to the public.

A detective of the New Chicago Police Department, who was participating in the parade, observed the SUV traveling toward him in the restricted route. With emergency lights and sirens activated, the detective followed the SUV for 6 to 8 blocks as it failed to stop. The driver ultimately slowed near a crowd, allowing the detective to box in the vehicle with his patrol car.

According to police, Yakel initially refused to put the vehicle in park and inched the vehicle forward, prompting the detective to draw his service weapon before the driver finally complied. Yakel was removed from the vehicle and detained. Police reported a strong odor of alcohol and observed Yakel to be lethargic with bloodshot, watery eyes.

The Chief of the Lake Station Fire Department told responding officers that Yakel had struck him with the mirror of the SUV while trying to flee after initially agreeing to stop. The Chief, who was dressed in marked fire department gear, said the vehicle accelerated toward a grassy area full of spectators before returning to Central Avenue.

A witness stated that the SUV came within two feet of a toddler seated in the grass collecting candy. The witness also noted Yakel ignored emergency vehicles and police attempts to stop him.

Yakel admitted to officers he had consumed alcohol, first stating it was two beers but later telling officers he had “about six.” At the scene and again during transport, Yakel allegedly made spontaneous statements including, “I’m sorry man I’m just drunk” and “I know I’m going to jail.”

Standardized field sobriety tests were conducted at the Lake Station Police Department. Officers reported Yakel failed all three tests and showed signs of impairment, including a blood alcohol content (BAC) reading of .373 on a portable breath test. A subsequent blood draw conducted under a search warrant at St. Mary’s Hospital revealed a BAC of .355 at 8:48 p.m., well over four times the legal limit in Indiana.

Yakel was medically cleared and transported to the Lake County Jail without incident. Yakel was charged with:

Level 5 Felony – Battery by Means of a Deadly Weapon

Level 6 Felony – Criminal Recklessness committed with a deadly weapon.

Level 6 Felony – Resisting Law Enforcement-uses a vehicle

Class A Misdemeanor – Resisting Law Enforcement: def. knowingly/intentionally forcibly resist/obstruct

Class A Misdemeanor – Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering a Person

Class C Misdemeanor – Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated

Class C Misdemeanor – Reckless Driving Drive at unreasonable high or low speed so to endanger safety

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