Woman Charged With OWI, Child Neglect Following Collision With Emergency Vehicle in Gary
A 28-year-old Gary woman is facing multiple charges following a crash involving a city ambulance that left three people injured, including two paramedics and a patient in transit.
According to court documents, Jakaire Yovnne-Arelette Parker was driving a 2012 Nissan Altima around 1:31 a.m. on July 9, 2025, when she allegedly disregarded a stop sign at West 11th Avenue and Madison Street and struck a Gary Fire Department ambulance. The ambulance, which was traveling with emergency lights and sirens activated, was transporting a patient to North Lake Methodist Hospital when it was hit and then lost control, crashing into a utility pole.
The impact with the utility pole caused extensive front-end damage to the ambulance and resulted in a downed line hazard at the intersection, according to police. Emergency lights on the ambulance were still activated at the time of the crash, and the pole itself sustained visible structural damage.
Parker’s one-year-old child was in the car at the time but was not injured. Parker, who admitted to drinking earlier in the evening and having a suspended driver’s license, reportedly showed signs of intoxication. Officers noted the odor of alcohol, red and glossy eyes, mood swings, and poor balance. She consented to a portable breath test, which returned a result of .205 BAC. She later refused a certified breath test, prompting police to obtain a warrant for a blood draw.
The driver of the ambulance and his partner were both treated at a local hospital for minor injuries, as was the patient who was already being transported. Parker was taken into custody after being medically cleared. Child Protective Services responded to the hospital and placed her child in the care of Parker’s mother.
Parker is currently lodged in the Lake County Jail.
Charges Filed on July 9, 2025:
• Neglect of a Dependent – defendant placed dependent in situation that endangers the dependent (Level 6 Felony)
• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated: Endangering a Person Less Than 18 Years (Level 6 Felony)
• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated: Endangering a Person (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated (Class C Misdemeanor)
• Reckless Driving – drove at unreasonable high or low speed to endanger safety (Class C Misdemeanor)
• Disregarding Stop Sign (Infraction)
• Driving While Suspended – suspension not a result of conviction (Infraction)
• Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Financial Responsibility (Infraction)
• Failure to Yield at Yield Sign Involving Collision – Involves Bodily Injury (Infraction)
• Failure to Yield Right-of-Way to Emergency Vehicle – Involves Bodily Injury (Infraction)
