38-year-old man faces multiple felonies after crash involving South Bend Police Officer

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Officer Primerano with the South Bend Police was traveling north on Portage Avenue Saturday around 3:15 a.m. when a Chevy Malibu, driven by 38-year-old Wilson Makori Jr., disregarded the stop sign at Leland Avenue, causing a crash with the patrol vehicle, according to officials.

No serious injuries were reported, and the Malibu became lodged in a snowbank.

Police say Makori attempted to drive off from the scene multiple times.

Officer Primerano ordered Makori to shut off the vehicle, but he kept trying to leave, not obeying any commands.

Once other units arrived on-scene, officers removed the Makori from the vehicle. Responding officers noted he appeared impaired.

As officers took Makori into custody, they observed a handgun on the floorboard between his feet.

Through further investigation, police learned the handgun was reported stolen from a nearby county.

Makori was arrested and transported to the St. Joseph County Jail.

The St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office charged Makori with the felonies operating a vehicle as a habitual traffic violator, resisting law enforcement, operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person-prior within seven years, and unlawful carrying of a handgun with a prior felony conviction.

Makori is also charged with two misdemeanors including resisting law enforcement and operating a vehicle while intoxicated, endangering a person.