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 were called around 6:58 p.m. on January 13, 2026, to the area of 833 W. Lincoln Highway following reports that a woman had been run over by a vehicle. When officers arrived, Schererville Fire Department medics were providing aid to a female victim who appeared to have suffered serious injuries.
Police spoke with a male at the scene who 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 arrived to help with a flat tire when a heated argument broke out. He said the victim was halfway out of the passenger side of a white Dodge Durango when Spencer suddenly sped out of the parking lot, causing her to fall beneath the vehicle. The witness reported seeing the rear passenger tire run completely over the victim’s body.
Officers then made contact with Spencer, who was standing nearby while the victim received medical treatment. Police said they smelled alcohol on Spencer’s breath and noticed his eyes were bloodshot and watery. Spencer told officers he and the victim, his wife, had been arguing over helping with the flat tire. He initially said the argument became physical but later denied that claim. Spencer said the victim exited the vehicle during the argument and that he tried to leave, claiming he did not realize she was still partially inside the vehicle. He told officers he felt the rear passenger tire run over her before getting out and calling 911.
Spencer admitted he had consumed “a couple of beers” earlier in the day and agreed to a portable breath test, which showed a BrAC of 0.086. Police reported the victim suffered suspected broken bones to her shoulder and face, along with a possible broken pelvis, and was transported to a local hospital for extensive treatment.
According to police, Spencer failed several 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 revealed a vape device containing a gold, wax-like substance that tested positive for THC.
Spencer later refused a chemical breath test after being read Indiana’s Implied Consent Warning. Police then obtained a search warrant, and a blood sample was collected later that evening.
The following day, the victim told police she is separated from Spencer and said that during the argument, he ordered her and her two children out of the vehicle. She said that as she reached back inside to grab her phone and purse, Spencer accelerated, causing her to fall. The victim reported the rear passenger tire ran over the middle of her body and grazed her head. While she said she does not believe Spencer intentionally ran her over, she stated he failed to stop immediately after the impact. The victim suffered two broken bones in her left shoulder and a fractured pelvis and remained hospitalized at the time the affidavit was filed.
Charges filed 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