Maurice Berthal Spencer, 39, of Chicago Heights, Illinois, is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after police say he drove while intoxicated and ran over his wife during an argument in Schererville.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Schererville Police responded around 6:58 p.m. on January 13, 2026, to the 800 block of West Lincoln Highway following a report that a woman had been run over by a vehicle. When officers arrived, Schererville Fire Department medics were already providing medical care to a female victim who appeared to have suffered serious injuries.
Police made contact with a male at the scene who initially identified the injured woman as his mother and pointed out another man, later identified as Maurice Spencer. The man told officers the victim and Spencer had come to help with a flat tire when a heated argument broke out. He reported that the victim was halfway out of the passenger side of a white Dodge Durango when Spencer suddenly accelerated out of the parking lot, causing her to fall beneath the vehicle. The witness said he clearly saw the rear passenger tire run completely over the victim’s body.
Officers then spoke with Spencer, who was standing nearby while medics treated the victim. Police said they detected the odor of alcohol on his breath and noted his eyes were bloodshot and watery. Spencer told officers he and his wife had been arguing about assisting with the flat tire. He initially claimed the argument became physical but later denied that. Spencer said the victim exited the vehicle during the argument and that he attempted to leave, stating he did not realize she was still partially inside when he drove away. He told officers he felt the rear passenger tire run over her, then stopped and called 911.
Spencer admitted he had consumed “a couple of beers” earlier in the day and agreed to a portable breath test, which registered a 0.086 BrAC. Police said the victim suffered suspected broken bones to her shoulder and face, along with a possible pelvic fracture, and she was taken to a local hospital for extensive treatment.
According to police, Spencer failed multiple standardized field sobriety tests, including the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus and One Leg Stand tests. Officers took him into custody, and a search incident to arrest uncovered a vape device containing a gold, wax-like substance that tested positive for THC.
After being read Indiana’s Implied Consent Warning, Spencer refused a chemical breath test. Police later obtained a search warrant for a blood draw, which was completed that evening.
The following day, the victim told police she is separated from Spencer. She said that during the argument, Spencer ordered her and her two children out of the vehicle. As she leaned back inside to retrieve her phone and purse, Spencer accelerated, causing her to fall. She reported the rear passenger tire ran over the middle of her body and grazed her head. While she stated she does not believe Spencer intentionally ran her over, she said he failed to stop immediately after the impact. As a result, she suffered two broken bones in her left shoulder and a fractured pelvis and remained hospitalized when the affidavit was filed.
Charges filed on January 15, 2026:
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Causing Serious Bodily Injury While Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated – Level 5 Felony
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Criminal Recklessness Committed with a Deadly Weapon – Level 6 Felony
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Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering a Person – Class A Misdemeanor
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Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated – Class C Misdemeanor
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Possession of Marijuana – Class B Misdemeanor