Trp. Carlson measured the vehicles speed at 101 mph in a well posted 55 mph zone. The vehicle, a white 2007 Buick sedan, passed Trp. Carlson’s location and immediately applied its brakes and moved over two lanes. Trp. Carlson pulled onto I-80 and caught up to the vehicle near the 2.4 mile-marker. As Trp. Carlson activated his police vehicle’s lights and sirens in an attempt to get the driver to stop, the vehicle slowly drove on the outside shoulder for almost a half mile before abruptly stopping near the 3.0 mile-marker.
As Trp. Carlson exited his patrol car and approached the Buick, he observed the vehicle rocking from side to side and the front seat passenger and driver switching positions. The male driver was identified as Drakkar Boyd, 28, from East Chicago, Indiana. While speaking to the occupants of the vehicle, Trp. Carlson detected the odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. A male subject seated in the rear of the vehicle was observed moving around and refused to show his hands when asked to. He was identified as Donovan Redding, 27, from Merrillville, Indiana.
All occupants of the vehicle were told to exit and a vehicle search was conducted. A loaded semi-automatic pistol was located under the seat where Mr. Redding had been sitting along with drug paraphernalia. The handgun was a .45 caliber Springfield XD.
The vehicle was impounded by Bennie’s Towing. Mr. Boyd was issued a summons to appear for Reckless Driving, a misdemeanor, and released from the scene. Mr. Redding was transported to the Lake County Jail with the following charges being presented to the Lake County Prosecutor:
- Felon in possession of a handgun (Level 5 Felony)
- Possession of Paraphernalia (C misdemeanor)
All persons named in this release are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court. All charges mentioned are merely accusations, actual charges will be determined by the Lake County Prosecutor's Office.
Assisting: Trp. Stancy, Trp. Partyka, Trp. Maenza, Trp. Griffin and Bennie’s Towing