Lowell Man Drags Officer With Car Before Going Through A Retention Pond and The Wrong Way On I-65
On January 25, 2025 around 10:30 PM, a Lowell Police Officer was working a DUI Enforcement Grant in the 7200 block of E 181st, according to court records. While on patrol the Lowell Officer spotted a Jeep traveling at 98 MPH eastbound. While attempting to catch up to the Jeep the driver shut his lights on and off multiple times in a possible attempt to elude officers.
Officers caught up to Jeep as it pulled into a driveway and attempted to speak to the driver now identified as Michael Correa, 36, of Lowell. Correa rolled down his window and was asked by officers why he believed he was stopped. Correa replied, “I wasn’t speeding, I’m just going to my house.” Correa then rolled up his window and refused to roll down his window or open his door but continued yelling from inside his Jeep. Correa then started pressing buttons on his key fob causing the alarm to chirp while reaching under the seat. Correa kept yelling, “I just want to go home.” Correa then accidentally pressed the unlock button to which the officer opened the door. Correa still refused to provide his drivers license to the officer with the door open. While speaking with Correa the officer smelled a strong odor of alcohol emitting from his breath.
Correa continued to plead with officers to just take him home, until he started the Jeep again while jumping in and putting it into drive while dragging the officer through the front yard of the residence he had stopped at. The officer lost his grip and injured his hand during the encounter.
Correa fled eastbound to the Pilot Truck Stop with officers in pursuit when he then jumped a curb and drove through a retention pond, the court records said. Correa got back onto the roadway and continued driving erratically with speeds in excess of 100 MPH while jumping more curbs and driving through fields. The pursuit continued onto I-65 in the southbound lanes while traveling northbound without lights on once again. Indiana State Troopers and the Lake County Sheriff’s Department Officers were able to get the vehicle stopped near the 242 MM.
Correa got out the Jeep and started walking away and resisting officers commands. Officers tackled Correa in the median where he continued to fight before he was tased and taken into custody. Correa was then found to have a suspended license. Correa told officers, “I had a good run, I like it.” As he was walking to the squad car he then threatened to beat the officers ass before he was taken to Lake County Jail.
Correa has been preliminary charged with 6 Felonies and 2 Misdemeanors including:
Battery by Means of a Deadly Weapon, Resisting Law Enforcement-def causes bodily injury, Resisting Law Enforcement-while using a vehicle., Resisting Law Enforcement-Defendant causes bodily injury, Intimidation: Threat is to commit a forcible felony, Reckless Driving Drive at unreasonable high or low speed so to endanger safety, and Knowingly or Intentionally Operating Motor Vehicle w/o Ever Receiving a License.
Correa has previous charges of Resisting Law Enforcement, Auto Theft, and multiple driving while suspended over the years.
