Trooper Griffin was also traveling eastbound when the vehicle passed him at an extremely high rate of speed. As the trooper accelerated and caught up to the speeding vehicle, a black Chrysler 300, he was able to pace the vehicle at 142 mph. The vehicle also made several unsafe lane movements in and out of obviously much slower traffic.
Trooper Griffin positioned his police car immediately behind the speeding vehicle as he activated his emergency lights and siren in an attempt to initiate a traffic stop; however, the driver did not immediately stop. The driver continued to disregard the officer until finally stopping near the 8 mile-marker.
During the traffic stop, probable cause was developed and an O.W.I. investigation was conducted by Trooper Griffin. The driver was later taken into custody and submitted to a certified chemical test for intoxication (breath test), registering .12% B.A.C. (Blood Alcohol Content). The legal limit for intoxication is .08%. The driver, identified as Naomie K. Johnson, 20, from Gary, IN, was incarcerated at the Lake County Jail. She is preliminarily charged with the following:
- Resisting Law Enforcement- Level 6 Felony
- Operating While Intoxicated Endangering- Class A Misdemeanor
- Operating While Intoxicated- Class C Misdemeanor
- Reckless Driving- Class B Misdemeanor
- Minor Consumption Alcohol- Class C Misdemeanor
The vehicle was impounded.
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.