Lake County-Indiana State Police Master Trooper Aaron Segrest was making a traffic stop early this afternoon when his police car was hit and the driver fled the scene.
Preliminary investigation by Sergeant Dan Leslie revealed that at approximately 12:50 p.m., this Wednesday, July 30, 2014, afternoon, Segrest stopped a semi on the outer shoulder of I-80 west bound at the 7.7 mile marker (this is near Chase Street overpass) for a traffic violation. Seconds prior to Segrest getting out of his driver’s door a black 2001 Dodge Durango went off the road and hit Segrest’s police car down the driver’s side. Trooper Segrest police car is an unmarked 2004 Ford Crown Victoria with interior police lights. His lights were all activated at the time of the crash. The Durango fled west bound and Segrest attempted to follow after but the police car was disabled from the crash.
A witness who saw the crash was able to provide valuable information about the Durango. The Durango and driver, later identified as Matthew M. Reynolds, 27 of Portage, were located at his residence.
Reynolds was arrested and taken to the Lake County Jail in Crown Point and charged with:
Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury Crash, a Class A Misdemeanor
Operating While Intoxicated Prior Refusal, a Level 6 Felony
Trooper Segrest was taken to Franciscan St. Anthony’s Health in Crown Point where he was treated and released for non-life threatening injuries.
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All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
