Michael Damien Rodriguez, of Gary, was charged after allegedly striking a state police vehicle near the southbound I-65 ramp to westbound I-80 at about midnight on September 14, then fleeing through an active highway work zone and into Gary.
A trooper was working a traffic-control detail when his stationary, marked vehicle was struck. Construction crews were pulling wire across the interstate, and marked police vehicles with emergency lights were positioned to block traffic and protect the work zone. The trooper reported severe pain in his back and legs and was taken for medical evaluation.
Another trooper soon spotted a vehicle matching the SUV’s description westbound on I-80 near the construction site and attempted to stop it. The SUV did not yield to emergency lights and sirens. The affidavit says it continued through the active work zone near the 10.1-mile marker and drove over a large cable being pulled across the lanes. Workers ran toward the shoulder to avoid being struck.
The pursuing trooper estimated the SUV was traveling about 70 to 75 mph as it passed utility vehicles with flashing warning lights and crossed the cable. The SUV exited onto northbound Broadway in Gary, leaning heavily to one side as it took the exit at high speed, according to the affidavit.
On Broadway, the SUV continued north before turning west onto 25th Avenue. The driver allegedly turned in front of a southbound vehicle, nearly causing a collision, and failed to stop at two stop signs. The SUV eventually stopped on a sidewalk near 25th Avenue and Jefferson Street, in front of a fire station.
Rodriguez was the SUV’s only occupant. The affidavit says he appeared unsteady and swayed while standing. A trooper reported a strong odor of alcohol on his breath, bloodshot and watery eyes, and slurred speech. Rodriguez reportedly said he had consumed “a couple beers” at a family gathering. Officers later found two opened, partially consumed vodka bottles in the SUV. The vehicle also had damage to its driver-side front quarter panel and a missing driver-side exterior mirror.
Rodriguez refused field sobriety tests and a certified chemical test, according to the affidavit. Investigators obtained a warrant for a blood sample. A subsequent test detected 0.256 grams of ethanol per 100 milliliters of blood.
Firefighters who came out of the station reportedly recognized Rodriguez and told officers he had been a firefighter for about 20 years. He was taken into custody and later booked into the Lake County Jail.
Charges filed November 13, 2026:
Resisting law enforcement by vehicle, creating a substantial risk of injury — Level 5 felony
Resisting law enforcement using a vehicle — Level 6 felony
Reckless operation of a vehicle in a highway worksite — Level 6 felony
Reckless operation of a vehicle in a highway worksite with workers present — Class A misdemeanor
Operating while intoxicated, endangering a person — Class A misdemeanor
Operating with an alcohol concentration equivalent of .15 or more — Class A misdemeanor
Operating while intoxicated — Class C misdemeanor
