Illinois Man Accused of Kicking Officer, Damaging Squad Car During Drunk Driving Arrest in Hammond
HAMMOND — A 43-year-old Illinois man is facing multiple charges after police say he resisted arrest, kicked an officer in the stomach, and caused significant damage to a Hammond police squad car while allegedly intoxicated behind the wheel earlier this week.
According to court documents, the encounter began around 11:19 a.m. on August 3, 2025, when Hammond Fire Department personnel flagged down police at the intersection of River Drive and Calumet Avenue. Firefighters from Engine #7 reported finding a man unconscious behind the wheel of a 2013 light blue Hyundai Accent bearing Georgia license plates. The vehicle was stopped at a red light, directly in front of their engine.
Fire personnel had reportedly just cleared from an unrelated crash nearby when they encountered the vehicle. After being unable to wake the driver, they smashed the passenger-side window to access the man and removed the keys from the ignition. The driver, later identified as Andre Lavell Young, of Harvey, Illinois, allegedly attempted to shift the vehicle into gear, causing it to roll backwards and strike the fire engine in a minor collision.
Police responded to the scene and reported a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from Young and the interior of the Hyundai. An empty bottle of alcohol was observed in plain view. Officers requested backup due to Young’s uncooperative behavior. Officers ordered Young to exit the vehicle, but he allegedly refused.
When officers attempted to place Young under arrest for operating while intoxicated, he reportedly resisted by twisting his body and locking his arms. Police say Young was eventually handcuffed after multiple commands to stop resisting. He was escorted to a squad car but refused to pull his legs inside. An officer reported having to hold Young by the chest to prevent him from climbing back out while repeatedly ordering him to comply.
Despite being told several times why he was under arrest, Young allegedly continued to resist and later refused to submit to a chemical test at the station.
Court documents state that additional officers arrived to assist. During the attempt to secure him in the squad car, Young allegedly kicked one officer in the stomach. Due to his continued kicking, officers used a prisoner transport belt as a leg hobble, but Young was still unable to be secured in the car. Officers then transferred him to another vehicle, which had a full transport cage.
While being transported to the Lake County Jail, Young allegedly slipped out of his handcuffs and began kicking the interior of the police car, including the rear doors, the transport cage, and the rear-facing camera, causing what police estimate as $20,000 in damage to the squad car.
Upon arrival at the jail, authorities say Young continued to act aggressively and noncompliantly and had to be removed from the vehicle by the Lake County Jail SORT team before he could be booked.
Young was formally charged on August 5, 2025.
Charges filed August 5, 2025:
• Battery Against a Public Safety Official – Level 6 Felony
• Criminal Mischief (damage between $750 and $50,000) – Class A Misdemeanor
• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering a Person – Class A Misdemeanor
• Resisting Law Enforcement (forcible resistance) – Class A Misdemeanor
• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated – Class C Misdemeanor
• Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Financial Responsibility – Infraction
