At approximately 11:30 p.m. last night, Trooper Eric Madry observed a maroon Buick traveling at 114 mph on I-80/94. The posted speed limit is 55 mph. Trooper Madry was able to stop the vehicle as it exited onto Grant St. Subsequent investigation lead the trooper to believe that the driver may be impaired. Field sobriety tests were attempted by the driver and a certified breath test was later administered at the Lake County Jail. The driver failed the test registering .13 % blood alcohol content. The legal limit in Indiana is .08%. The driver was arrested for O.W.I. (Endangering) which is a Class A Misdemeanor.
At 12:30 a.m., Trooper William Carlson observed a silver Chevrolet Cruze traveling at 112 mph on I-80/94 east bound near Kennedy Ave. As Trooper Carlson initiated a short pursuit, the vehicle exited onto Cline Ave. The driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a light pole. The driver then exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Trooper Carlson then initiated a foot pursuit and caught up to the suspect. The suspect then turned and began to walk towards Trooper Carlson as he was given loud verbal commands to stop. As the suspect continued to disregard the Trooper, a taser was deployed. The suspect was then taken into custody without further incident. The suspect has been identified as Najee Hill, 20, from Dolton, IL. He was transported to the Lake County Jail and is facing the following charges:
- Resisting Law Enforcement - Level 6 Felony
- Resisting Law Enforcement on foot- Class A Misdemeanor
- Reckless Driving - Class B Misdemeanor
- Possession of Marijuana - Class B Misdemeanor
- Leaving the scene of a property damage crash- Class B Misdemeanor
- Stay at Home order violation - Class B Misdemeanor
- Unsafe Lane Movement – Infraction
- Suspended license – Infraction
Assisting: Trooper Eric Madry, Lake County Sheriff’s Department, Griffith PD, and Waffco Towing.
At 3:30 a.m., the Lowell Regional Dispatch Center was notified of a single vehicle crash on I-80/94 at the 7.6 mile-marker (near Burr St.). Preliminary investigation by Trooper Madry shows that a white 2008 Chevrolet Impala was east bound when it left the lane of travel and struck the center median wall. A passenger in the vehicle sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash. The deceased has been identified as Aleesha Walker, 29, from Merrillville, IN. Notification has been made by the Lake County Coroner. The passenger was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. The driver, Andre C. Walker, sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Alcohol may have been a factor. Assisting at the scene: ISP Reconstruction Team (M/Trp. Lawrence McFarin & Trp. John Landowski), Sgt. Rick Strong, Trp. Nick Isajczuk, Trp. William Stancy, Hammond, Griffith and Gary Police Departments, Gary Fire/EMS, Lake County Coroner’s Office and McCoy & Sons Towing.
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.
Photo 1: Crashed Chevrolet Cruze from the pursuit
Photo 2: Chevrolet Impala involved in the fatal crash