Illinois Man Arrested After Wrong-Way Pursuit on I-80
On November 15, 2025, at approximately 11:00 p.m., Indiana State Trooper Jace Haddon was patrolling along I-80 near the 1.4 mile-marker, when he observed a dark-colored Mini Cooper traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed. Using a LIDAR device, the vehicle’s speed was measured at 103 mph in a posted 55 mph zone. This location is 1.4 miles east of the Illinois state line.
As Trooper Haddon attempted to catch up to the vehicle, the suspect shut off all lights on the car and exited onto Indianapolis Blvd. A short time later another trooper located the vehicle, a dark colored Mini Cooper re-entering I-80 westbound from Indianapolis Blvd. Trooper Griffin initiated a traffic stop for multiple violations, at which point the driver fled, prompting a vehicle pursuit.
The pursuit continued westbound on I-80 when the Mini Cooper abruptly stopped on the inside shoulder, made a U-turn, and began traveling the wrong direction on I-80 (eastbound in the westbound lanes) while weaving through traffic. The driver’s actions created an immediate danger to motorists. Troopers attempted to stop the vehicle as it continued onto Calumet Avenue, traveling southbound in the northbound lanes. The Mini Cooper then attempted to merge onto I-80 eastbound as Trooper Haddon attempted multiple PIT maneuvers to end the pursuit. The vehicle again attempted to drive the wrong way on I-80 but appeared to stall. Given the driver’s continued reckless actions, disregard for public safety, and the immediate threat posed to other motorists, Trooper Haddon utilized his police vehicle to disable the Mini Cooper. The vehicle came to rest on the inside shoulder of I-80, ending the pursuit. Trooper Haddon sustained non-life-threatening injuries as he disabled the Mini Cooper. He was treated and released from a local hospital.
Troopers ordered the driver out at gunpoint, but he refused the officers’ commands. Troopers removed him from the vehicle, and he continued to resist arrest even while being handcuffed. Once secured, troopers detected the strong odor of alcoholic beverages coming from the driver, who was identified as Nelson Dones, 45, from Lisle, Illinois.
Mr. Dones was read his Miranda rights and later transported to a local hospital for chemical testing. Although he initially agreed to Indiana’s Implied Consent advisement, he refused to provide a clear yes or no answer. Due to his refusal and signs of intoxication, troopers obtained a search warrant for a blood draw. The search warrant was granted, and the blood draw completed.
Dones was later transported to the Lake County Jail for booking. He is preliminarily charged with the following offenses:
- Resisting Law Enforcement Causing Bodily Injury- Level 5 Felony
- Resisting Law Enforcement- Level 6 Felony
- Resisting Law Enforcement Creating Substantial Risk of Injury to the Defendant or Victim, and Defendant has Two Priors Under Subsection (A)- Level 6 Felony
- O.W.I. Causing Bodily Injury- Level 6 Felony
- Criminal Recklessness (Aggressive Driving/Serious Bodily Injury)- Level 6 Felony
- O.W.I. Endangering- Class A Misdemeanor
- Reckless Driving- Class A Misdemeanor
- O.W.I.- Class C Misdemeanor
Charges listed are accusations of a crime and final charges will be determined by the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office. All suspects are presumed to be innocent until/unless proven guilty in court.
