Overnight Pursuit Ends In Gary When Hellcat Ran Out of Gas
On 1/21/2025, at approximately 11:51 PM, Porter County Police attempted a traffic stop in the area of SR 249 & I-94 on a white Dodge Hellcat Charger with obstructed plates that resulted in a vehicle pursuit, according to police report.
When officers activated their lights the Charger immediately accelerated away eastbound on I-94. The pursuit continued eastbound on I-94 with very little traffic at times traveling between 130 and 140 MPH, with its lights off, the report stated.
As the pursuit approached the US Hwy 20 Burns Harbor exits, the Charger driver faked taking each exit, then continued eastbound on I-94. Chesterton PD attempted to place stop sticks in front of the Charger near mile marker 25, but the driver was able to avoid them. The Charger then exited I-94 to northbound SR 49. When the Charger took the SR 49 exit to westbound I-94, officers attempted to perform a PIT maneuver on the exit ramp. Due to the salt on the road causing a slick surface, and the vehicles’ speeds, officers were unable to position their vehicle in the
correct spot to make contact with the rear of the Charger.
The pursuit then continued back westbound on I-94 from SR 49. A Burns Harbor PD unit was able to enter I-94
ahead of the Charger, and positioned his police vehicle, emergency lights/siren activated, in front of it. The
Charger nearly struck the Burns Harbor unit as it passed him. Officers continued pursuing the Charger westbound on I94.
As the pursuit entered into Lake County and passed the Ripley exit, the Charger began accelerating faster in excess of 145 MPH. The Charger continued westbound on I-94 until the Broadway exit, where it went northbound on Broadway. Police pursued the Charger north on Broadway until 17th Ave. where it suddenly slowed and stopped due to it running out of gas. The driver exited the vehicle and ran westbound for a short distance before he surrendered and was taken into
custody by Porter PD.
Due to the odor commonly associated with marijuana emanating from the vehicle, a probable cause search of the Charger was conducted, police said. Laying on the driver’s seat was a red/yellow dispensary bag containing green leafy substance. In the front passenger footwell was a brown cardboard box. Inside this box was a large clear Ziplock bag containing more green leafy substance. The large Ziplock bag of suspected marijuana was weighed at 463 grams, and the dispensary bag was weighed at 17 grams, for a total weight of 480 grams.
A BMV query of the drivers information indicated his license status was Suspended-Prior through Indiana. He had a previous conviction for Driving While Suspended on 5/4/21.
The driver now identified as Darien Ethridge, 30, of Indianapolis was taken into custody for Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle (6-Fel), Resisting Law Enforcement
(A-Mis), Driving While Suspended (A-Mis), Possession of Marijuana (B-Mis), and Reckless Driving (C-Mis).
Darien was transported and lodged at the Porter County Jail.
