Late for a wedding, Valpo man caught going 100 mph
By Erin Guerra Sun-Times Media December 10, 2012 4:56PM
Timothy Thompson | Provided photo~Sun-Times Media
Updated: December 11, 2012 1:10AM
A man who claimed to be late for his wedding was arrested after allegedly driving about 100 mph in a 40 mph zone Saturday afternoon in Northwest Indiana, authorities said.
At one point, 23-year-old Timothy Thompson’s 1999 Jeep Cherokee tipped up on two wheels in the chase through Portage, police said.
Thompson, of Valparaiso, also stopped traffic in both directions on Willowcreek Road by abruptly switching from the left-turn lane to continue straight north on the highway at Stone Avenue.
He later attempted to justify his driving, police said, by saying he was late for his wedding and by turning on his emergency flashers and honking his horn.
About 5:40 p.m., a police officer spotted the black 1999 Jeep Cherokee and estimated the driver was going about 100 mph; Thompson would later admit to going 90, police said.
Thompson stopped in the parking lot of Nativity of Our Savior Church, at 2949 Willowcreek Road — but only after doing two doughnuts in the parking lot, sending up a thick blanket of tire “smoke,” police said.
After speaking briefly with the officer Thompson ignored police commands by getting back into his Jeep to move it to the church’s front door - where police blocked his vehicle.
That’s when he changed his story.
“Oh, I thought you were done and I’m late for a party in Chicago. It now means I have to drive really fast to get there,” Thompson allegedly told officers.
Thompson, who had been released from jail earlier in the day for narcotics offenses, was arrested and held without bond at Porter County Jail.
He is charged with one felony, fleeing law enforcement with a vehicle; and two misdemeanors, criminal recklessness and reckless driving. He was ticketed for speeding and improper passing.
