Gary Woman Faces Neglect and OWI Charges After Crash on I-65 With Child
According to court documents, a 2011 silver Hyundai Elantra driven by Jennifer N. Torres, 39, of Gary, was involved in a two-vehicle crash on I-65 southbound near the 61st Avenue exit around 12:25 p.m. on September 20, 2025. Police state the vehicle left the scene without providing the required information. Another vehicle followed as Torres allegedly exited onto 61st Avenue, re-entered I-65, continued to U.S. 30, and then turned north onto Taft Street, where officers stopped her near 58th Street in Merrillville .
Officers reported that Torres was behind the wheel with her 11-year-old daughter in the passenger seat. The affidavit states the child appeared “extremely scared and would not speak.” Torres allegedly denied involvement in a crash, but the juvenile nodded “yes” when asked .
Court filings indicate Torres’ eyes were bloodshot and watery, her speech was slurred, and officers observed multiple open containers of alcohol in the driver’s door. Police reported a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle. Torres allegedly failed all standardized field-sobriety tests and refused both a portable breath test and chemical testing at a hospital under Indiana’s Implied Consent law .
During the investigation, Torres reportedly admitted she had consumed alcohol the night before and also taken prescribed Xanax and Tramadol that morning. At the hospital, she allegedly became emotional and told officers she “made a mistake and should not have been driving” .
Court documents state a witness observed Torres’ Hyundai sideswipe another vehicle on I-65 before leaving the crash scene. The witness followed and never lost sight of the vehicle until police made the stop in Merrillville .
Charges filed September 21,2025:
Court documents show Torres faces multiple charges:
• Neglect of a Dependent (F6) – placing dependent in danger
• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Endangering a Person Under 18 (F6)
• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Endangering a Person (MA)
• Leaving the Scene of an Accident (MB)
• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated (MC)
• Open Alcoholic Beverage Container During Operation of a Motor Vehicle (IFC)
• Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Financial Responsibility (IFA)
• Unsafe Lane Movement (IFC)
• No Valid Driver’s License (IFC)
Torres was lodged in the Lake County Jail on September 20, 2025.
