Hammond Woman Charged With OWI Driving Wrong Way On I-65
For the second time in a week, Trooper Carlson had to cover a crash involving a wrong-way driver on an interstate highway in Northwest Indiana. This morning at approximately 12:40 a.m., the Lowell Regional Dispatch Center began receiving 911 calls of a possible impaired driver in a white Mazda sedan southbound on I-65 near the 240 mile-marker (Lowell exit). The Mazda was described as driving very erratically while almost causing crashes with other vehicles. The vehicle made an illegal U-turn on I-65 near the 232 mile-marker and began driving northbound in the southbound lanes. This caused a silver Hyundai Sedan to drive off the roadway to avoid a head-on collision. The silver Hyundai rolled over in the west ditch. The occupants of the Hyundai were uninjured. The wrong-way vehicle continued north and caused two more vehicles to take evasive action to avoid a head-on collision. The vehicles were a blue 2018 Mazda Sedan and a gray 2016 Jeep Cherokee. Both of these vehicles crashed into the center median. Fortunately there were no injuries as a result of these two additional crashes. The wrong-way vehicle eventually lost its front left tire near the 233 mile-marker and crashed into the center median.
Trp. Carlson arrived and spoke to the driver who was very disoriented and exhibiting signs of impairment. The driver of the wrong-way vehicle was identified as Erika G. Gallegos-Esqueda, 19, from Hammond, Indiana. Ms. Gallegos-Esqueda was transported to the Newton County Jail for a certified breath test. She failed this test registering .134% BAC (Blood Alcohol Content). The legal limit in Indiana is .08% B.A.C. Ms. Gallegos-Esqueda was incarcerated at the Newton County Jail for the following:
- O.W.I.-Endangerment- Class A Misdemeanor
- Illegal Consumption- Class C Misdemeanor.
- Wrong-Way on a One Way – Infraction
- Unsafe Lane Movement – Infraction
Assisting at the scene were Troopers Isajczuk, Hamed and Burgin. The vehicle was towed by Cheevers Towing.
The Indiana State Police appreciates the 911 callers that reported this incident. If you see driving behavior that you suspect may be an impaired driver, call 911 and be prepared to give your location, report the specific driving behavior that is observed, and a brief description of the vehicle.
All persons named in this release are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court. All charges mentioned are merely accusations, actual charges will be determined by the Newton County Prosecutor’s Office.
