Two accused of leading deputies on chase through La Porte, Lake counties
At 11:16 a.m., a deputy was heading west on the Indiana Toll Road near mile marker 48 when they came upon a passenger vehicle traveling below the speed limit in the passing lane of the road.
As the deputy got closer, the vehicle allegedly swerved into the driving lane and then quickly back into the passing lane.
The vehicle also sped up, eventually reaching speeds higher than the posted limit, according to deputies.
Near mile marker 46, the deputy tried to initiate a traffic stop but the vehicle did not pull over, reports said.
Instead, a pursuit began.
To elude law enforcement, the suspect vehicle left and then got back on the Toll Road, according to reports.
The chase continued west into Lake County before eventually exiting in Gary.
Law enforcement from Lake County pursued the vehicle until it hit a broken utility pole at the intersection of Washington and 8th streets in Gary.
The driver of the vehicle ran from the vehicle but was captured by the Gary Police Department a short time later.
The driver and passenger were taken to the hospital for medical clearance before being arrested.
The driver, identified as 27-year-old Lontre Smith of Lauderhill, Florida, is being held on a $755 cash-only bond at the La Porte County jail for the following charges:
- Resisting law enforcement
- Operating while intoxicated
- Reckless driving
Smith's passenger, identified as 30-year-old Sian Gledhill of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, stayed in the vehicle while Smith ran, reports said.
Gledhill was found to have five active, fraud-related warrants out of Chester County, Pennsylvania.
She is being held without bond at the La Porte County Jail awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania.