Sunday morning, April 25, at 4:05 AM, Captain Andy Hynek with the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department was traveling west on US 20 near CR 450 East. He observed a vehicle traveling eastbound on US 20 quickly approaching him. A radar check of the approaching vehicle measured the violator’s speed at 105 MPH in a portion of US 20 that is posted at 45 MPH.
The officer immediately turned around and began to travel eastbound on US 20 to catch up to the vehicle. He noted how the vehicle’s speed increased while continuing eastbound past the “Dogbone” Interchange and onto SR 2.
In the 7000 east block of SR 2, Captain Hynek paced the vehicle at 125 MPH. As the vehicle crossed into St. Joseph County, the speed of the violator increased and was traveling more than 130 MPH. Shortly after merging onto the eastbound US 20 bypass ramp, Captain Hynek was able to gain the attention of the driver and initiated a traffic stop.
The driver was identified as Denver W. Schweizer, 25-years-old of Plymouth. During a roadside interview, the officer developed probable cause to believe that Schweizer was impaired by alcohol. Following the standardized field sobriety tests being administered, he was taken into custody and transported to the La Porte County Jail.
Denver Schweizer was arrested for:
• Operating While Intoxicated, Class “A” Misdemeanor
• Operating While Intoxicated, Class “C” Misdemeanor
• Reckless Driving, Class “C” Misdemeanor
He was also issued two citations for speeding, one for 105/45 and one for 125/60. After a cash bond was posted later in the day, Schweizer was released from custody.
Captain Derek J. Allen stated, “Operating While Intoxicated, coupled with speeding, especially speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour is a deadly combination. These two dangerous driving behaviors significantly increase the possibility of a motor vehicle crash occurring. In an ongoing effort to increase traffic safety, deputies will continue to seek out and have zero tolerance for those who choose to operate a vehicle while intoxicated.”
Assisting: Deputy John Roby Jr., St. Joseph County Police Department and Michigan City Police Department
Arrests and criminal charges are mere accusations. Every person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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