A Blue Island man is was arrested last night along I-80 in Hammond after Indiana State Police say he crashed into a police SUV.
34-year-old Christopher Idom is facing preliminary charges that include operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
It was just after 11pm, just over the state line, when, according to state police, Idom was speeding in an Infinity SUV when he rear-ended a state police SUV that was parked on the shoulder.
A trooper and a police intern who was with him had minor injuries.
Both vehicles were heavily damaged.
Vehicle involved in crash with Indiana State Police SUVIndiana State Police
Police say Idom showed signs of impairment and smelled of alcohol.
He refused a breathalyzer.
Police had to get a court order for a blood draw. Results of that are pending.
PRESS RELEASELAKE COUNTY, Ind. – An Illinois man was arrested on preliminary charges of Operating While Intoxicated after striking an Indiana State Police patrol vehicle during a traffic enforcement operation late Thursday night on Interstate 80.
On October 29, 2026, at approximately 11:15 p.m., Indiana State Police Trooper Brayden Schrock was conducting traffic enforcement while parked on the inside shoulder of Interstate 80 near the 1.4-mile marker. This location is near Indianapolis Blvd. as you drive east from the Illinois State line. Trooper Schrock's fully marked patrol vehicle was stationary when it was struck from behind at a high rate of speed by a black Infiniti SUV.
Troopers responding to the scene found the Infiniti disabled and blocking multiple lanes of the interstate. Trooper Schrock's patrol vehicle sustained heavy rear-end damage as well as driver’s side damage. The driver of the Infiniti was identified as Christopher T. Idom, 34, of Blue Island, Illinois. During the investigation of the crash, Idom showed signs of impairment, including bloodshot and watery eyes and the odor of an alcoholic beverage.
Idom refused to participate in field sobriety testing, a portable breath test, and a chemical test after being advised of Indiana's Implied Consent Law. A search warrant for a blood draw was subsequently obtained through the Lake County court system. The warrant was executed at a local hospital before Idom was transported to the Lake County Jail.
Idom was incarcerated on preliminary charges of:
—Operating While Intoxicated Endangering
—Operating While Intoxicated (First Offense)
—Operating a Vehicle with a Suspended Registration
In addition, he was cited for:
—Unsafe Lane Movement
—Operating Without Financial Responsibility
Both Trooper Schrock and an Indiana State Police Intern that was riding with the trooper were transported for treatment of minor injuries. Both were treated and released.
All criminal charges are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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