Curtis George Lesnick, 34, of Chesterton, is facing charges after police say he operated a vehicle while intoxicated and caused a crash that resulted in serious bodily injury.
According to court documents, on April 21, 2026, at approximately 4:15 p.m., officers with the Porter Police Department were dispatched to the area of U.S. Highway 20 and Wagner Road for a crash involving a passenger vehicle and a semi-truck with possible injuries.
Police said a gray Jeep was observed with heavy front-end damage against a telephone pole on the southeast side of the intersection. The semi-truck was off the roadway on the northeast side with significant damage to the cab, and the driver of the semi appeared to be severely injured and trapped inside.
A witness told police the driver of the Jeep threw what appeared to be beer into the woods after the crash. Officers later located a partially empty bottle of Modelo beer approximately 15 to 20 feet from the vehicle near the tree line, which was still cold.
While speaking with Lesnick, officers reported detecting a strong odor of alcoholic beverages coming from his breath. Court documents state Lesnick was “very unsteady on his feet,” had “slurred and mumbled” speech, and “watery and bloodshot” eyes.
Lesnick told officers, “I had the right of way,” and stated he was crossing U.S. Highway 20 northbound on Wagner Road when the semi-truck struck him. Police noted there is a stop sign on Wagner Road, while traffic on U.S. Highway 20 has the right of way.
According to the affidavit, Lesnick denied consuming alcohol and refused field sobriety tests as well as a chemical test after being read Indiana’s implied consent law.
Police obtained a search warrant for a blood draw, which was conducted at a local hospital. During transport and while in custody, officers reported Lesnick was uncooperative at times and became agitated, including banging his head inside a patrol vehicle.
Court documents state the semi-truck driver sustained serious bodily injury, was extricated from the vehicle, complained of pain throughout the body, and was transported by ambulance to a hospital.
Authorities also noted Lesnick has prior operating while intoxicated convictions within the past seven years.
Lodged in the Porter County Jail.
Charges filed April 22,2026:
Causing Serious Bodily Injury when Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Level 4 Felony
Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Level 6 Felony
Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering a Person, Class A Misdemeanor
Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor
