Chicago Driver Flees From State Police Saturday
Saturday morning at approximately 4:53 a.m., Trooper Griffin of The Indiana State Police was patrolling eastbound on I-80/94 near the 13 mile-marker when he observed a blue Ford traveling at a low rate of speed in the right lane. The vehicle was paced at 25 mph. The Ford then swerved left into the center lane nearly striking another vehicle, Sgt Glen Fifield said.
Trooper Griffin attempted to perform a traffic stop on the vehicle, but the driver refused to stop. As the trooper followed the vehicle with his lights and siren activated, he saw the vehicle swerve to the right across all lanes as it drove off the roadway while almost hitting the guardrail. The vehicle slowed to 5 mph but then sped up, fleeing from the officer. The vehicle swerved left across all lanes of travel, nearly striking a semi. The driver continued eastbound swerving left to right in multiple lanes as the trooper radioed for assistance. The vehicle then swerved to the right, driving off the roadway into an embankment, then back onto the roadway and onto the Ripley St. exit ramp. The Ford again drove off the roadway, striking a guardrail, then again driving into the embankment before coming to a stop. A felony stop was then conducted, and the driver was taken into custody. The driver was later identified as Miquita N. Houston, 36, of Chicago, IL.
A subsequent investigation into driver impairment was conducted. A certified breath test was administered, and she registered .162% B.A.C. (Blood Alcohol Content). The legal limit for intoxication in Indiana is .08%.
Ms. Houston was transported to the Lake County Jail for booking. She is preliminarily charged with the following: Resisting Law Enforcement – Level 6 Felony, Operating While Intoxicated with a BAC of .15% or more- Class A Misdemeanor, Operating While Endangering- Class A Misdemeanor, and Reckless Driving- Class C-Misdemeanor. Assisting at the scene was WAFFCO Towing and Lake Station EMS.
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 Lake County Prosecutor’s Office.
*Note- Although the photo may look like a crash occurred between the suspect vehicle and the police car, there was not any contact made between the two vehicles.
