Lowell, Indiana – A Lake Station man faces felony charges after allegedly fleeing a traffic stop and leading Indiana State Police on a high-speed pursuit Friday night on Interstate 80.
According to the Indiana State Police Lowell Post, the incident began at approximately 8:05 p.m. Friday when a trooper observed a black Mazda make an improper U-turn on Ripley Street near I-80 in Lake Station. As the trooper approached the vehicle during the stop on the entrance ramp to I-80, police said the driver fled westbound on the interstate.
Police reported the vehicle reached speeds of approximately 100 mph in a posted 55 mph zone while weaving through traffic. The driver briefly exited toward the I-65 interchange before re-entering I-80 westbound and continuing at speeds between 85 and 90 mph, authorities said.
The vehicle later exited at Cline Avenue (State Road 912) and continued south before stopping just south of I-80. Troopers conducted a felony stop and took the driver into custody without further incident.
Police identified the driver as Roberto Christian Mendez, 51, of Lake Station. Troopers allegedly detected the odor of alcohol and observed signs of impairment, including bloodshot, watery eyes and difficulty maintaining balance. Authorities said Mendez admitted to consuming “three to four beers” approximately 30 minutes before the stop.
He was transported to Southlake Methodist Hospital for a certified chemical test and later booked into the Lake County Jail.
Mendez was preliminarily charged with resisting law enforcement (Level 6 felony), operating while intoxicated (prior, Level 6 felony), operating while intoxicated (Class A misdemeanor), driving while suspended (prior, Class A misdemeanor), reckless driving (Class C misdemeanor), and operating while intoxicated (Class C misdemeanor).
The pursuit temporarily affected late-night interstate traffic in the Lake Station area.
All criminal defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness. Follow us on Instagram & Facebook and support local independent news. Have a tip? Message us.
