An off-duty firefighter from Gary is accused of striking an Indiana State Police vehicle and then leading troopers on a pursuit early Monday morning, Sep. 14.

Police say a trooper was working traffic control in a construction zone on I-65 near the I-80 interchange when an SUV hit the marked police vehicle and left the scene.

The trooper suffered injuries described as not life-threatening. Police later stopped the damaged SUV in Gary and arrested a 47-year-old man. Authorities say he showed signs of impairment and declined field sobriety and chemical tests.

Proposed charges include OWI causing injury, leaving the scene of a serious bodily injury crash, and reckless driving in a construction zone.