Hammond, Lake County-Saturday, March 4th, 2017 at 2:45 a.m., Trooper Alaa Hamed received a dispatch about a vehicle rollover on the Indiana Toll Road at exit 10 (Cline Avenue).
Hamed located a 2000 Jeep SUV that was rolled over onto its top and was blocking the ramp. Hamed saw a female in the roadway outside of the Jeep and after looking in the Jeep for any other occupant rendered first aid to the female. She was later identified as Nichole M. Gaffney, 28 of Hammond, IN.
Gaffney stated she had lost control of the Jeep when she tried to exit off onto the ramp. Hamed also noticed after further investigation that Gaffney was impaired. Gaffney was cleared and released at the scene after being seen by Hammond Emergency Medical Service and was taken to Lake County Jail in Crown Point where she was a refusal for a certified breath test.
Gaffney was transported to South Lake Methodist Hospital in Merrillville for further medical clearance and was cleared and released from there. She was taken back to and incarcerated at the Lake County Jail and charged with:
- Operating While Intoxicated (Class A Misdemeanor)
- Operating While Intoxicated Endangerment (Class A Misdemeanor)
- Driving While Suspended Prior (Class A Misdemeanor
Motor Vehicle crashes are the leading death among those aged 1-54 in the U.S. Seat belt use is the most effective way to save lives and reduce injuries in crashes. This crash is an example of what wearing your seat belt and having air bags can do to lessen injuries and save your life.
It’s also a reminder that ISP and over 250 Indiana state and local law enforcement agencies are out now (March 3 through March 26, 2017) to increase education and enforce dangerous and impaired driving (Operation Pull Over Blitz 89).
Trooper Hamed stated, “We take protecting those who travel on Hoosier roadways seriously.”
Buckle Up & Drive Sober!
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Wojas
Pictures are of crash scene and Gaffney
