LA PORTE COUNTY - A car went off the road and crashed into a house at about 6 o'clock Friday morning. Captain Michael Kellems says it happened at 4058 N US 35, about two miles north of La Porte. There were several people in the home at the time of the crash, including children; none of them were injured. La Porte County Sheriff's deputies responded and found a gray 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer had left the roadway and struck the residence. The driver of the vehicle, identified as 19-year-old Lincoln Steinhiser, claimed to have minor injuries and was transported by the La Porte County Emergency Medical Service to La Porte Hospital.
A witness told police that the Chevrolet was speeding north on US 35 when it passed another northbound vehicle in a no passing lane. The driver of the Trailblazer lost control and slid across the three lanes of US 35, into the yard of the residence and eventually struck the southeast corner of the home. There was significant structural damage to the home which was knocked several inches off of the foundation.
Investigating officers were notified that Steinhiser was attempting to leave the emergency room at La Porte Hospital. Deputy Bobby Greer responded to the emergency room and attempted to detain Steinhiser who resisted and was then taken into custody. Steinhiser, refused medical treatment and was transported to the La Porte County Jail where he was charged with Operating While Intoxicated, Resisting Law Enforcement and as a Minor Consuming Alcohol. Certified blood test are were pending at the time of this report, but police say results on a portable breath tested at .16 percent blood alcohol level.
