LAKE COUNTY – On May 29, 2026, at approximately 3:56 p.m., troopers responded to a single‑vehicle crash on I‑80/94 westbound near the 9.9-mile marker. This location is near the Broadway exit. Troopers located a blue 2003 Ford F‑150 disabled in the roadway with heavy damage. The driver, identified as Alejandro Garcia, 34, was located walking in traffic with visible injuries.
During the investigation, troopers observed a Sig Sauer P365 handgun in the vehicle. A check revealed that the firearm had been reported stolen from Nashville, Tennessee. Garcia admitted to firing the gun before the crash, and it was determined that he did not have a valid driver’s license in any state.
Garcia was found to have an active arrest warrant out of Bartholomew County, Indiana, for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. He was taken into custody without incident and transported for medical evaluation. He was later admitted for further assessment.
Several charges were submitted to the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office for review as a result of this crash. The charge of theft, a Level 5 felony, was the only charge that was approved. As of the writing of this news release, Garcia was not in custody.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent until proven guilty through a fair and due legal process. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
