Firefighter Arrested After Crash
Off-Duty Gary Firefighter Arrested Following State Police Trooper Crash and Chase
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Key Points
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Police identified the injured trooper as Trooper Garcia, who was working in a fully marked Dodge Durango with its emergency lights activated; Gary firefighters transported him to Northlake Methodist Hospital for evaluation.
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During the pursuit through Gary, police said Rodriguez traveled on Broadway and 25th Avenue, ignored traffic signals and nearly caused another crash before stopping near the fire department.
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Indiana State Police said Rodriguez’s refusal extended to the certified chemical test, in addition to his refusal to perform field sobriety tests; he was taken to a hospital after police obtained authorization for the blood draw.
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The charge of leaving the scene of a serious bodily injury crash was identified as a Level 6 felony, with the charges to be forwarded to the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office for review rather than treated as final charging decisions by police.
An off-duty Gary firefighter was arrested after allegedly striking an Indiana State Police vehicle in a construction zone on southbound Interstate 65 near the I-80 interchange early Monday, 21 Alive News reported. Trooper Garcia, who was protecting road crews, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was hospitalized. Investigators said ABC7 Chicago the suspect, 47-year-old Michael D. Rodriguez, then fled through another construction zone and Gary streets before stopping near the fire department.
Police reported signs of alcohol impairment and open containers in Rodriguez's SUV. Hoodline said he admitted drinking before driving. After declining sobriety and chemical tests, a judge authorized a blood draw at a hospital. Authorities forwarded potential charges including leaving the scene of a serious bodily injury crash (a Level 6 felony) and operating while intoxicated to the Lake County Prosecutor's Office.
Collision in Active Construction Zone
The incident occurred when Rodriguez's vehicle struck the trooper's fully marked Dodge Durango with emergency lights activated, according to 95.3 MNC. Trooper Garcia was protecting road crews in the work zone. Gary firefighters transported him to Northlake Methodist Hospital for evaluation. The collision sent the patrol vehicle into the trooper, causing injury but not life-threatening harm.
Construction zones present heightened dangers to workers and traffic-control personnel. Indiana law treats driving offenses in these areas more seriously because of elevated exposure to moving vehicles. By allegedly continuing through another active work zone during the chase, Rodriguez potentially put additional crews at risk.
High-Speed Chase Through Gary Streets
After the collision, Rodriguez's SUV—which showed significant front-end damage—did not stop. ABC7 Chicago reported that police pursued him through Gary, where he traveled on Broadway and 25th Avenue while ignoring traffic signals. The chase ended near the Gary Fire Department.
During the pursuit, Rodriguez nearly caused another crash, endangering additional motorists. Police said his refusal to cooperate extended through the entire testing process: he declined field sobriety tests and refused the certified chemical breath test as well.
Blood Draw Authorized After Testing Refusal
When Rodriguez refused standard sobriety and chemical tests, investigators built their case with other evidence. Police reported observing signs of alcohol impairment and discovering open containers inside the SUV. Hoodline said Rodriguez admitted he had been drinking before driving. A judge then approved a blood-search warrant.
Medical personnel collected a blood sample at the hospital despite Rodriguez's refusal of voluntary testing. The warrant process allowed investigators to obtain objective evidence of impairment. Rodriguez was booked into the Lake County Jail pending prosecutorial review of charges.
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