Joseph S. Pete
The Times, Munster, Ind.
CROWN POINT, Ind. — The driver of a van that crashed on Interstate 65 between Crown Point and Lowell just after noon Sunday spat on the paramedic that was treating him after the crash, police said.
Police responded to the crash that occurred after several people called 911 to report erratic driving.
Several people called to complain about an apparently impaired driver weaving in and out of a lane on I-65, Indiana State Police Cpl. Melinda Garcia said.
“They were unable to maintain their lane, according to several callers,” she said. “As troopers headed to intercept it, it did crash into the median.”
The white 2005 Ford van then left the road, crashed into a guardrail and overturned. It ended up upright and blocking the left two lanes by the 245-mile marker.
No other vehicles were involved in the crash.
The driver, later identified as 46-year-old Oak Park resident Anthony Maldonado, suffered serious injuries, Indiana State Police Sgt. Glen Fifield said.
While being treated at the scene, Maldonado became combative with the paramedics and spat on one of them, Fifield said.
Maldonado was taken to Franciscan Health hospital in Crown Point. Toxicology results are pending, police said.
Maldonado remains at the hospital. When released, he faces changes that include battery on emergency responder by bodily fluid, leaving the scene of a crash and operating while intoxicated.
Crown Point Fire/EMS and Area Towing also assisted.
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©2020 The Times (Munster, Ind.)