Cedar Lake, IN – A Cedar Lake woman faces five charges after allegedly fleeing police and driving a pickup truck into Cedar Lake on Tuesday evening.
According to the Cedar Lake Police Department, the incident began around 7:25 p.m. Tuesday, February 17, when Corporal Richard Pennington was monitoring traffic in the 6800 block of West 133rd Avenue. Police said a gold truck traveling southbound on Fairbanks Street disregarded a stop sign and drove onto a sidewalk before continuing west on 133rd Avenue.
Officers activated emergency lights, but the truck allegedly continued north on Morse Street, then onto Lake Shore Drive, where it nearly struck another vehicle. Authorities said the female driver was seen rolling down the driver’s side window and jumping from the moving truck. The vehicle continued forward, struck a metal barrier, and entered the lake.
Police identified the driver as Sara Reeves, 32, of Cedar Lake. According to authorities, Reeves was bleeding from the head and was transported by ambulance to a medical facility. Police said she allegedly resisted officers at the scene and again while in the ambulance, requiring assistance to restrain her.
The 2000 Chevrolet pickup was removed from the lake and impounded. A bearded dragon found inside the truck was turned over to family members. Police stated alcohol is not believed to be a factor.
The Lake County Prosecutor’s Office is filing charges including Level 5 felony escape, Level 6 felony resisting law enforcement, misdemeanor resisting law enforcement, neglect of a vertebrate animal, and criminal mischief. Reeves is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
