(La Porte County, IN) - A lengthy police chase ended with a violent crash and injuries Tuesday afternoon near Westville.

 

La Porte County Police said an officer tried stopping the driver on the Indiana Toll Road for tailgating but the vehicle accelerated, triggering a pursuit close to Portage where the suspect conducted a U-turn.

 

Police said after reentering La Porte County, the chase veered southbound on U.S. 421 until the SUV left the road and crashed, rolling several times before coming to rest near 250 South.

 

The driver, Kleve Panayoty, 42, of Brooklyn, New York fled on foot but was soon apprehended, police said. Two passengers were taken to an area hospital with undisclosed injuries.

 

Panayoty is charged with resisting law enforcement and leaving the scene of a crash, both Level 6 felonies, along with Class C misdemeanor never receiving a license.

 

Multiple other agencies, including La Porte Police, Indiana State Police and the Porter County Sheriff’s Office were involved in the pursuit.