(Michigan City, IN) - Charges have now been filed after a man was run over by an alleged drunk driver outside a Michigan City hotel.

 

Jose Garcia, 51, is charged with operating while intoxicated, and causing serious bodily injury with a prior OWI conviction within the past five years - a Level 4 felony along with other lesser OWI counts.

 

According to court documents, Garcia and the victim, Steven Childress, were engaged in a conflict over a woman Sunday in the parking lot of Ramada Inn. Garcia told investigators he got into his car, but was punched in the face multiple times by Childress as he started backing up to get away.

 

The investigation shows Childress was standing near the driver’s side window when he was knocked to the ground. The car then ran over both of his legs, police said.

 

Police said Childress, who was unable to move his legs, was dragged by the woman-in-question, back into his hotel room. He was transported to nearby Franciscan Health hospital.

 

Garcia, who had been staying at the hotel for a few weeks, is accused of having a blood alcohol level of .097 percent. He could face anywhere from a 2-12 year sentence on the most serious count.

 

The investigation shows Childress might have been impaired after telling officers he was on some unspecified substance, according to court documents.