LAPORTE COUNTY – On Wednesday night, August 19, 2026, the Indiana State Police arrested a Naperville, IL man for operating while intoxicated, along with other charges, after he was driving the wrong way on the Indiana Toll Road.
At approximately 11:20 p.m. CST, Trooper Santoyo was patrolling eastbound on the Indiana Toll Road near mile marker 48.6 when she observed a silver 2025 Nissan that was traveling at highway speed westbound in the right lane of the eastbound lanes toward her. Santoyo activated the lights and siren on her marked Indiana State Police vehicle and turned around to stop this wrong-way driver.
The driver of the Nissan, identified as Kamal Abdallah, 51, of Naperville, IL, stopped on the right shoulder of the eastbound lanes approximately a mile later. Santoyo reported that several vehicles traveling eastbound had to take evasive actions to avoid the wrong-way driver as it drove towards them.
While speaking to Abdallah, Santoyo, who is trained as a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) suspected that Abdallah may be impaired on controlled substances and began an investigation for Operating While Intoxicated. This investigation ultimately led to Abdallah being arrested on several charges.
During an inventory prior to impounding the vehicle, troopers located pills identified as a controlled substance and a THC vape pen.
Abdallah was arrested for Reckless Driving, Class C-Misdemeanor, Operating While Intoxicated on a Controlled Substance, Class C-Misdemeanor, Operating While Intoxicated, Class C-Misdemeanor, Operating While Intoxicated-Endangerment, Class A-Misdemeanor, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Class A-Misdemeanor, Possession of Paraphernalia, Class A- Misdemeanor, and Possession of Marijuana, Class A-Misdemeanor and taken to the LaPorte County Jail
