On Friday, February 20th, at approximately 8:05 p.m., Trooper Griffin, the Lowell Post Mustang Patrol Trooper, initiated a traffic stop on a black Mazda after observing the vehicle make an improper U-turn on Ripley Street near I-80 in Lake Station. During the traffic stop, the driver initially stopped on the entrance ramp to I-80. As the trooper was speaking with the driver, the vehicle fled the scene, traveling westbound on I-80 and a pursuit was initiated.
The vehicle was observed traveling at speeds up to approximately 100 mph in a posted 55 mph zone and weaving in and out of traffic. The driver briefly exited toward the I-65 interchange before re-entering I-80 westbound and continuing to flee at speeds between 85 and 90 mph. The vehicle eventually exited at Cline Avenue (SR 912) and continued southbound. Assisting troopers maneuvered ahead of the vehicle in an attempt to slow it down. The vehicle came to a stop on Cline Avenue just south of I-80, where a felony stop was conducted. The driver was taken into custody without further incident.
The driver was identified as Roberto Christian Mendez, 51, of Lake Station. During the investigation, troopers detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Mendez. He admitted to consuming “three to four beers” approximately 30 minutes prior to the stop. He also displayed signs of impairment, including bloodshot and watery eyes and difficulty maintaining balance.
Mendez was transported to Southlake Methodist Hospital where a certified chemical test was administered and later transported to the Lake County Jail. Mendez was preliminarily charged with the following offenses:
- Resisting Law Enforcement – Level 6 Felony
- Operating While Intoxicated (Prior) – Level 6 Felony
- Operating While Intoxicated – A Misdemeanor
- Driving While Suspended (Prior) – A Misdemeanor
- Reckless Driving – C Misdemeanor
- Operating While Intoxicated – C Misdemeanor
All criminal defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.