Michigan City driver arrested after wrong-way pursuit ends in crash

An 18-year-old Michigan City woman faces multiple felony charges after police say a wrong-way driver fled from an attempted traffic stop and crashed, leaving three passengers with life-threatening injuries.

Michigan City Police said an officer spotted a vehicle traveling the wrong way on West 11th Street from Washington Street around 11:17 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14.

Police said the officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver accelerated and refused to pull over. A pursuit followed before the vehicle crashed into a guardrail along the South Shore Railroad near West 11th and Ohio streets.

The driver and three passengers were injured in the crash. Officers provided lifesaving measures to the passengers before all four occupants were taken to Franciscan Health for treatment.

Police said one adult passenger was later flown to a regional hospital with life-threatening injuries. Two juvenile passengers remained hospitalized with life-threatening injuries as of Monday.

The driver, identified as 18-year-old Jaelyn Maida of Michigan City, suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

Maida was arrested after being released from the hospital. She faces a Level 3 felony charge of resisting law enforcement causing death or catastrophic injury and three Level 5 felony counts of criminal recklessness/aggressive driving resulting in catastrophic injury or death.

Maida was taken to the LaPorte County Jail, where her bond was set at $15,000 cash.

Police said alcohol is believed to have contributed to the crash. Toxicology results are pending.

Indiana State Police are investigating the crash.

 

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