A 36-year-old Hobart man, Abdal Hassouna, faces multiple criminal charges after authorities say he led police on a high-speed chase across Lake County and into Illinois, ending in a crash with another vehicle while his 13-year-old son was inside his car.
According to a probable cause affidavit, officers attempted a traffic stop around 12:51 a.m. on January 13, 2026, near I-65 and 61st Avenue in Merrillville after spotting a black Infiniti with an unreadable license plate. When police activated emergency lights, the vehicle accelerated instead of stopping and entered northbound I-65.
Court documents state the driver continued fleeing at extreme speeds, recklessly changing lanes, passing the Ridge Road exit, and merging onto I-80/94 westbound. The affidavit notes the vehicle traveled in the far-left lane at speeds reaching approximately 115 miles per hour while evading police.
The pursuit continued westbound past Calumet Avenue and crossed into Illinois. Police report the driver attempted to exit onto Torrence Avenue while traveling at about 100 miles per hour, lost control, and crashed into a civilian vehicle. The affidavit states the pursuit covered approximately 19 miles.
Following the crash, officers secured the scene and took the driver into custody. Court records indicate a 13-year-old male juvenile, identified by the driver as his son, was inside the vehicle during the pursuit. The juvenile was later transported back to his residence.
Because of the crash’s severity, Hassouna was taken by ambulance to Community Hospital in Munster. After receiving medical clearance, officers arrested him on an active Lake County warrant and transported him to the Lake County Jail without further incident.
Charges filed January 13, 2026:
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Neglect of a Dependent — Level 6 Felony
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Resisting Law Enforcement Using a Vehicle — Level 6 Felony
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Reckless Driving Causing Bodily Injury — Class A Misdemeanor
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Reckless Driving Causing Bodily Injury — Class A Misdemeanor