(La Porte County, IN) - A man impaired by alcohol struck a vehicle on U.S. 20 and fled but he was not able to escape the long arm of the law. That’s the picture drawn by the allegations filed in the case against Christopher Hinojosa.

Hinojosa, 40, is charged with operating while intoxicated and leaving the scene of a property damage crash.

La Porte County Police said an 18-year-old female driver took evasive action to avoid Himojosa after his car swerved across the center line of U.S. 20 near 700 East.

The two vehicles still collided.  The victim’s car wound up leaving the roadway and coming to rest disabled in the middle of the highway.  The eastbound Himojosa was located a short time later on U.S. 20 in the backseat of a New Carlisle Police vehicle.

His car missing the front bumper and having other damage also wound up disabled from a flat tire.

According to police, Himojosa said he had been drinking heavily but his last drop of alcohol was five hours prior to the crash.  The Florida man refused to submit to a blood alcohol test, police said.

Police said there were no injuries in the accident, which occurred about 10 a.m. on Wednesday.