Gary man arrested after fleeing police and hitting two squad cars

GARY, Ind. – According to the Indiana State Police, a routine traffic stop on Saturday at around 11:00 p.m. turned into a police chase after the suspect began to slowly drive away after initially stopping.

43-year-old Arthuro Smith of Gary was stopped for a traffic violation. After stopping at first, he decided to drive away, prompting a police chase.

Smith was driving in the westbound lane on U.S. 12 being pursued by the officer that pulled him over.

Smith steered his car into the police car on the driver’s rear side, and a second police car was struck by Smith in an attempt to box him in before arriving at an intersection.

Smith eventually crashed into a pile of debris near Milton Road. He fled on foot before being caught in an empty lot near East Dunes Highway.

Smith sustained injuries that were non life-threatening.

Smith received treatment at Saint Mary’s Medical Center before being released.

It was learned that Smith fled because he was driving while twice the legal limit intoxicated and he was driving on a suspended license.

Smith was charged Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, Resisting Law Enforcement, Possession of Marijuana, Operating While Intoxicated (OWI), OWI Endangerment, OWI with BAC over .15%, Leaving Scene of a Property Damage Crash, Criminal Recklessness, Open Container, Driving While Suspended, Disregarding a Stop Sign and Driving Left of Center.