Chicago Man Charged After Allegedly Ramming Police Vehicles During Portage Pursuit, Officer Injured
Rene S. Cardona, 35, of Chicago,is charged in Porter County, after police say he fled from officers during an early-morning traffic stop in Portage and intentionally rammed multiple police vehicles, injuring an officer.
According to court documents, on February 19, 2026, at approximately 1:20 a.m., officers observed Cardona operating a black 2021 GMC Carryall in the Willowcreek area of Portage. Officers initiated a traffic stop with emergency lights and sirens activated, but Cardona allegedly fled, leading officers on a vehicle pursuit at a high rate of speed.
Court records state Cardona drove into oncoming traffic and purposely rammed several police vehicles during the pursuit. One of the police vehicles struck was involved in a head-on collision, and the officer driving that vehicle sustained injury to the right arm, resulting in extreme pain and impairment of function.
Authorities allege the pursuit ended after Cardona crashed. Court filings state he was pulled from the driver’s seat by officers and admitted he was the driver of the vehicle involved in the pursuit and crash.
Court records further state officers observed signs of impairment including the odor of an alcoholic beverage, bloodshot and watery eyes, alcohol beverage containers visible in the vehicle, failure to shut off the vehicle, and refusal to submit to a chemical test. The traffic stop escalated into a vehicle pursuit and crash that resulted in injury to an officer.
Lodged in the Porter County Jail.
Charges filed February 20,2026:
• Resisting Law Enforcement Causing Bodily Injury — Level 4 Felony
• Operating While Intoxicated Causing Serious Bodily Injury — Level 5 Felony
• Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Bodily Injury — Level 6 Felony
• Reckless Driving — Class A Misdemeanor
• Aggressive Driving — Class A Misdemeanor
