Gary, Lake County-A trooper on the Indiana Toll Road arrested a driver early this morning who was showing off his vehicle by going over twice the posted speed limit on the Indiana Toll Road.
At approximately 1:31 a.m., this Friday morning, Trooper Alaa Hamed was sitting stationary in his fully marked police car at the crossover on the Indiana Toll Road at the 13 mile marker (this is three miles east of the Cline Ave. exit). Hamed saw a vehicle coming behind him in the east bound lanes at a high rate of speed. This vehicle (later identified as a 2016 Challenger Hellcat Dodge) was the only vehicle at that time of night coming in both the east and west bound lanes.
Hamed activated his rear stationary radar and clocked/tracked the Challenger at 158 M.P.H. in a well posted 70 M.P.H. zone. The Challenger was clocked/tracked a second time on radar at 151 M.P.H. The Challenger rapidly decreased its speed as it passed Hamed’s police car.
Hamed caught up with the Challenger and activated his emergency lights and siren when it pulled over at the 11 mile marker. The driver was identified as Christopher Garza, 30 of Chicago. He was placed under arrest for reckless driving.
Garza stated that he had recently purchased the Challenger and wanted to show his friends (two passengers in the Dodge) what his 707 horsepower engine could do. He stated he knew was doing 160 M.P.H. and thought the Indiana Toll Road would be the safest place to do this since it was empty.
Mr. Garza was taken to the Lake County Jail for Reckless Driving. His passengers were taken to a nearby hotel. The Challenger was towed.
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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.v
Picture is of Garza
2nd Picture is of the speed clock
