On Wednesday evening at approximately 8:06 p.m., the Michigan City Police Department responded to an address on Carlon Ct. for a burglary in progress. As a result of this dispatch, a Michigan City police officer initiated a pursuit of the suspect who fled the scene in a white 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The pursuit eventually went onto I-94 westbound from U.S. 421.
A Lowell trooper in the area observed the vehicle traveling westbound at a high rate of speed after it entered Porter County. The trooper activated his emergency lights and siren as the vehicle continued to flee. When the vehicle approached the 22 mile-marker, the driver made a sudden lane change and rear ended a semi that was traveling in the middle lane. This impact resulted in the vehicle traveling underneath the semi and being wedged under the trailer. The driver of the semi pulled over to the right shoulder where troopers attempted to render aid to the driver. As a result of the impact, the driver was pinned inside the vehicle and suffered fatal injuries. The driver of the semi was not injured.
The deceased has been identified as Olajuan R. Nuttall, 29, from Michigan City, IN. Notification to family has been made.
At the time of the pursuit, the suspect had 5 active warrants for various felonies and misdemeanors all originating in LaPorte County.
Assisting agencies: Michigan City Police Department, Porter County Coroner’s Office, Porter Police Department, Porter Fire Department, Indiana State Police Reconstruction Team, and the Indiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division.