ST. JOSEPH COUNTY – An Elkhart man is in jail for operating while intoxicated and multiple other charges after an Indiana State Trooper saw him driving on the Indiana Toll Road in a stolen vehicle that was missing a front tire.
On September 7, 2026, at approximately 8:45 p.m., Trooper Santoyo was patrolling westbound on the Indiana Toll Road near mile marker 77 when she saw a brown Chevrolet travelling eastbound that was missing the front left tire. This was causing the Chevrolet to throw off a shower of sparks as it drove on the rim.
Santoyo caught up to the Chevrolet and stopped it near the 78.4-mile marker. While she spoke to the driver, identified as Antoine Deberry, 30, of Elkhart, IN, Santoyo noticed an open can of Cutwater Margarita in the cupholder and suspected Deberry may be intoxicated. Following a roadside investigation for operating while intoxicated, Deberry was taken to a local hospital for a certified chemical test.
Further investigation revealed that the Chevrolet had been reported stolen out of Elkhart County. Deberry was arrested for auto theft, Level 6 felony, operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated endangerment, Level 6 felony, operating while intoxicated with a prior, Level 6 felony, driving while driver’s license suspended, Class A misdemeanor, and operating a motor vehicle without ever receiving a license, Class C misdemeanor. Deberry was taken to the St. Joseph County Jail.
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.
