(La Porte County, IN) - A high-speed chase of a suspected impaired driver in La Porte County resulted in a crash and injuries to a police officer and suspect on Christmas Eve.

 

According to La Porte County Police, the pursuit began about 10 p.m. in the City of La Porte and veered westbound on Johnson Road. The suspect passed an SUV on the right side of the two-lane road at high speeds.

 

The passenger vehicle driver, 18-year-old Isaac Fielder, turned left toward Jongkind Park Subdivision. His SUV was sideswiped by La Porte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Austin Howell, pursuing the suspect. The suspect, Gary Southward of Michigan City, was captured after he crashed his vehicle just over a mile later at Johnson Road and Dana Road.

 

The officer involved in the first collision suffered an injury to his arm. No details were given on the suspect’s injuries, but sources close to the investigation revealed a medical helicopter was called to transport Southward to a hospital outside the area.

 

More details will be provided once they’re made available.