Good Samaritans Help Take Suspect Into Custody After Indiana Trooper Struck
By Officer.com News
HAMMOND, Indiana -- A Indiana State Police trooper was struck by a motorist early Saturday morning and a two Good Samaritans placed their vehicle in front of the fleeing suspect.
Officials said that one of the Good Samaritans, who was armed with a handgun, exited the truck and drew his weapon and ordered the suspect to stop. The suspect complied with the man and was taken into custody.
The incident began at approximately 2 a.m. as troopers were investigating a suspicious incident on Interstate 80/94. While the troopers and the Hammond Fire Department were on scene to assist, a crash occurred. A white 2016 Dodge Charger was traveling eastbound at an extremely high speed when it crashed into a Hammond Fire truck and a black 2009 Subaru. The Subaru then spun out of control striking a black 2012 Dodge Journey that was parked on the right shoulder.
The collision pushed the Dodge Journey into Trooper William Carlson, who was standing between the Journey and the concrete barrier wall, pinning him against the wall. Carlson was able to free himself from the crash and requested medical assistance.
He was transported to Munster Community Hospital for treatment and later released.
The driver of the Dodge Charger that caused the crash attempted to flee the scene on foot and abandon his seriously injured passenger. As the driver ran away, Trooper Ryan Parent also pursued the suspect on foot. With the assistance of the two Good Samaritans who were working in the area, they were able to chase down the suspect and take him into custody.
The suspect was transported to Munster Community Hospital for treatment of minor injuries and released. The suspect, 23-year-old Bryan K. Smith from North Carolina, is currently being held at the Lake County Jail pending formal charges being approved and filed by the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office. The passenger in the Dodge Charger, a 23-year-old female from Chicago Heights, Illinois, sustained serious injuries and was flown to Christ Advocate Hospital for treatment. Her current condition is not known.
None of the other drivers or any other officers or firefighters sustained any injuries. A Glock .45 handgun was recovered from inside the Dodge Charger.
The eastbound lanes of I-80/94 were closed/restricted for several hours for crash investigation and scene cleanup. Assisting at the scene were the following: Illinois State Police, Hammond Fire Department, Hammond Police Department, Bert’s Towing, Hoosier Helpers, and the Indiana State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit.
