Two Illinois Suspects Fleeing From Police Cause Crash On 80/94
Just before 10 AM, Wednesday, January 10, 2024, a police officer with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department Highway Interdiction Unit attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a Ford SUV westbound on I-94 near the Chesterton area, according to Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr.
The driver had committed several traffic infractions including speeding and lane violations. The driver of the suspect vehicle refused to stop for the officer, Martinez said. The officer began to pursue the SUV as it continued west on I-94 and later north on State Road 49 in Porter County. The vehicle eventually headed west on Route 20 then reentered I-94 heading east back to Lake County.
Near the Ripley Street exit in Lake Station, the fleeing driver caused a semi to lose control and flip onto its side.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Department Aviation Unit helicopter tracked the suspect vehicle from the sky as the suspect vehicle left the roadway eventually stopping at an embankment.
Two male suspects were placed into custody: a 21-year-old driver and a passenger, both from Illinois. Officers confiscated a large bag containing suspected narcotics.
The driver of the semi suffered an arm injury.
Indiana State Police are handling the crash investigation.
