A 36-year-old Hobart man is facing multiple criminal charges after authorities say he led police on a high-speed chase through Lake County and into Illinois before crashing into another vehicle while his 13-year-old son was inside his car.
According to court records, officers attempted to stop Abdal Hassouna around 12:51 a.m. on Jan. 13 near I-65 and 61st Avenue in Merrillville after noticing a black Infiniti with an unreadable license plate. Police said Hassouna sped off when emergency lights were activated, entering northbound I-65.
Court documents state the vehicle continued fleeing at extreme speeds, weaving through traffic, passing the Ridge Road exit and merging onto westbound I-80/94. Officers reported the car reached speeds of about 115 mph while traveling in the far-left lane.
The pursuit continued westbound past Calumet Avenue and crossed into Illinois. Police said Hassouna attempted to exit at Torrence Avenue at roughly 100 mph, lost control and crashed into a civilian vehicle. The chase reportedly covered about 19 miles.
After the crash, officers took Hassouna into custody and discovered a 13-year-old boy inside the vehicle, whom Hassouna identified as his son. The juvenile was later returned to his residence.
Hassouna was transported by ambulance to Community Hospital in Munster due to the crash. After being medically cleared, he was arrested on an active Lake County warrant and taken to the Lake County Jail.
He now faces charges including neglect of a dependent, resisting law enforcement using a vehicle, and reckless driving causing bodily injury.