LAKE COUNTY, IN – A leisurely drive on Indiana’s I-65 Wednesday turned into a nightmare as an Illinois man embarked on a destructive pursuit, leaving a trail of chaos along the highway.
According to Indiana State Police, it all began when a citizen alerted an Indiana Trooper to a vehicle crawling at an alarming 5 mph in the right lane of I-65 southbound.
Despite the trooper’s attempts to make contact with the driver through a routine traffic stop, the driver sped away, initiating a high-speed chase. The pursuit escalated as the driver then allegedly intentionally swerved towards troopers, ramming a state police car in the process.
Ultimately, the suspect was forced into the median later near the 238 mile-marker, temporarily stopping his escape. However, the driver once again accelerated towards the officers, ramming their police cars. The driver then crossed traffic driving northbound in the southbound lanes before finally being disabled against a patrol car.
Thomas J. Sanhamel, 45, from West Chicago, was arrested following the alarming series of events and treated for minor injuries. Official charges will be announced soon by the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office.
