(Westville, IN) - A driver arrested for impaired driving following a crash in Westville had his even more intoxicated passenger taken into custody a short time later for fleeing in another vehicle.

 

Jorge Plascencia, 47, and Christopher Jiminez, 64, were still being held in the La Porte County Jail as of this morning.

 

After 3 p.m. on Sunday., La Porte County Police were called to U.S. 421 and U.S. 6. There, the investigation shows, a collision was caused by the westbound Plascencia driving into the path of a southbound vehicle.

 

Family members of Jiminez pulled up to give him a ride home and were out of the vehicle while Plascencia was being questioned for possible impairment.

 

The arresting officer was reportedly escorting Plascencia to a police vehicle on suspicion of drunk driving when an extremely intoxicated Jiminez climbed into the car, belonging to his family members, and fled at a high rate of speed.

 

During a pursuit, police said, Jiminez stopped briefly at a roundabout before proceeding through it and continued westbound on U.S. 6 until ultimately pulling over a short time later.

 

Police said Jiminez of Valparaiso wound up being arrested for Resisting Law Enforcement and Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated.  His alleged blood alcohol level was slightly more than five times the legal limit.

 

Plascencia of East Chicago was, likewise, arrested for the latter charge. No light was shed on his blood alcohol level, but he was described as not even close to the level of impairment as Jiminez.

 

The investigation shows they were out to begin with to celebrate the birthday of Jiminez, who at the time could barely stand.