A single vehicle crash resulted in the driver being arrested on multiple charges after stating a “cat” may have caused the crash.
The preliminary investigation revealed, that around 9:20 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, David R. Sutphin, 23 of North Judson, was involved in a single vehicle crash ont eh Porter-Chesterton exit ramp from I-94 to U.S. 20.
Sutphin lost control on the ramp and went into a ditch, according to Indiana State Police.
His 20-year-old female passenger also from North Judson began to have a medical emergency and responding EMS from Chesterton were able to revive her. She was taken to Porter Regional Hospital and later medically released.
Upon talking with Sutphin who initially blamed the crash on a “cat” running across the ramp before providing another statement for the crash gave indicators of impairment.
The officer, who was trained to recognize impairment in drivers under the influence of drugs and alcohol, conducted an evaluation on Sutphin which indicated possible impairment.
Sutphin’s children, ages 10 months and 2 ½, were also in the car in child restraints. They were not injured and were later released to their grandparents.
Sutphin was transported and incarcerated at Porter County Jail in Valparaiso and charged with:
- Two counts of Neglect of a Dependent-Level 6 Felonies
- Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) with a passenger less than 18-years of age-Level 6 Felony
- OWI/controlled substance-Class C Misdemeanor
- OWI endangerment-Class A Misdemeanor
