As Trooper Partyka arrived at the crash scene, she observed a Buick Regal on the inside shoulder, abandoned, with extensive, disabling damage to the passenger side and multiple broken windows. There was a tractor-trailer on the outside shoulder. The investigation would later show the truck and trailer had been struck by the Buick.
Trooper Partyka located and detained the male who was walking on the westbound side (inside shoulder), and Trooper King later located and detained the female (outside shoulder). The male was identified as Anthony Hampton, 21, from Michigan City, IN. The female was identified as Mersadis Schroder, 24, also from Michigan City.
Investigation by troopers showed that the two detained individuals fled the scene of the crash carrying bags. Further investigation resulted in the subjects denying any knowledge as to whose bags they were carrying or what may be inside the bags. It was also later determined that Ms. Schroder had been driving the Buick at the time of the crash. The backpack Ms. Schroder was carrying contained a scale, baggies, paraphernalia, and multiple butane lighters. Both subjects were later transported to the Lake County Jail for processing.
Mr. Hampton is preliminarily charged with Possession of Methamphetamine- Level 6 Felony and False Informing- Class A Misdemeanor. Ms. Schroder is preliminarily charged with Possession of a Synthetic Drug of Lookalike- Class A Misdemeanor, False Informing- Class A Misdemeanor, Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Crash- Class B Misdemeanor, Operator Never Licensed- Class C Misdemeanor, and Possession of Paraphernalia- Class C Misdemeanor.
The driver of the semi was not injured in the crash.
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.
