Known Violent Felon Intentionally Drives Into Officers Injuring Two
On Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at approximately 5:25 PM, Gary Police Department received a call for service in the 800 block of East 21st Ave. regarding a disturbance with a known individual and that shots had been fired at that location, according to Commander Jack Hamady.
Officers arrived in the area and met with the complainant who described a male black subject driving a a black Chrysler 200. They advised the driver kept circling the area and they had heard multiple shots fired.
Officers located a vehicle matching the description in the 2000 block of Georgia Street, heading southbound. Officers positioned behind the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop which the driver refused to stop and continued without stopping for the officers. While officers pursued after the vehicle they observed the driver discard a handgun out the drivers door as they continued southbound on Martin Luther King Drive. The driver in the black Chrysler 200 continued southbound on Martin Luther king toward 35th Ave.
As officers responded to assist in the pursuit, it was entering into the Glen Park section of Gary. The assisting unit sat stationary at a stop sign facing east on 35th Ave and Martin Luther King Drive. That unit had their emergency lights activated and were just sitting stationary waiting for the black Chrysler 200 and pursuing units to pass, so they could assist in the pursuit, Hamady stated.
As the black Chrysler 200 approached the intersection the driver turned the vehicle towards the stationary Gary Police vehicle and rammed the drivers side of the squad car striking both officers inside the vehicle.
Both vehicles were immediately disabled from the impact of the crash. The driver of the black Chrysler 200 exited out of the vehicle and fled on foot where he was taken into custody by pursuing officers.
The two officers were removed from the squad car and transported to Methodist Northlake for treatment.
The officer (driver) 2 year veteran sustained injury to his left side of his body and is in stable condition waiting for tests.
The Sergeant (passenger) 25 year veteran sustained injury to the head and large laceration, which he was treated at the hospital and released this evening.
Indiana State Police is investigating the crash and Gary Police Department is handling the criminal investigation on the driver.
The driver Kenneth Vaughn, a 41 year old male from Gary and is in custody at the Gary Police Department. Investigators will present Charges to the Lake County Prosecutors Office this week. Charges as of now
1.Battery by means of a deadly weapon
2.Possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon
3. Intimidation to a public safety official
4. Resisting law Enforcement (felony)
5. Failure to duty
6. Reckless Driving
7. Resisting law enforcement (misdemeanor)
Gary Police Department thanked the responding outside agencies that assisted with the pursuit and apprehension of this serious violent felon. Also, to the Gary Fire Department and Methodist Northlake staff with the medical treatment to the officers.
