Latest news with #IndianaStatePolice
Indianapolis Star
13 hours ago
- Indianapolis Star
Purdue basketball star Zach Edey admits to speeding; offers to pay larger fine
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Former Purdue men's basketball star Zach Edey admitted last week to speeding in excess of 91 mph in a 55-mph zone, according to court records. Edey, currently a Memphis Grizzlies' center, agreed to pay a $500 fine plus $139.50 in court costs. As part of his July 23 agreement with the prosecutor's office, the state dropped the charge of reckless driving, a Class C misdemeanor, which changed Edey's case from a criminal case to a civil infraction case. Tippecanoe County Prosecutor Pat Harrington said Edey's attorney offered the $500 fine during negotiations with prosecutors, and they agreed. The prosecutor's office and Edey's attorney notified the court of the settlement last week. Court records indicated on Tuesday that Edey has not yet paid the debt. Ordinarily, a person with a moving violation who admits to the offense and does not have a prior violation in the county within the past five years pays court costs and $35.50 in fines, according to Indiana law. If a person has a previous violation in the last five years, the fine can be as high as $250, according to state law. If the person has two prior violations, the fine can be as high as $500. An Indiana State Police trooper stopped Edey along Indiana 25 south of West Point on May 1. Court records indicate that the trooper clocked Edey as going 101 mph in a 55-mph zone. He was driving northbound in his Kia Sorento, and the trooper was going southbound. Edey, Purdue's all-time points leader, now has eight points against his driver's license for speeding in excess of 91 mph, according to Indiana law. Earning 20 points on a license results in a suspension. The former Boilermaker was drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies after leading Purdue in the NCAA championship game in 2024. Purdue's men's basketball social media accounts posted a photo of Edey, among other players and alumni, in Mackey on May 6.
Chicago Tribune
a day ago
- Chicago Tribune
Man, teen charged in separate Gary, Hammond murders
Charges were unsealed this week for a man and a teen in separate Gary and Hammond murders. Lamont Wilkerson, 22, of Gary, is charged with murder, unlawful carrying of a handgun and one misdemeanor in the July 13 death of Edward Kindred, 23, of Gary. He is in custody. His next court date is Aug. 6. Indiana State Police Detective Roger Escutia of the Lake County Prosecutors' Homicide Task Force responded July 13 to Waverly Drive and Taft Street in Gary. Kindred was pronounced dead at Methodist Hospital. He died from a gunshot wound to his legs, according to the Lake County Coroner's Office. Police found 15 bullet shells at the scene. Video showed Kindred leaving Taft Foods when a silver car pulled up, a man in all white got out, followed Kindred briefly, then opened fire before fleeing. A second man also got out, but police weren't sure if he fired a gun. Moments later, as Kindred was 'limping away' and holding a weapon, he appeared to draw as he was attacked. Police appeared to identify the suspect as Wilkerson after he was seen on video pumping gas a day earlier – matching his picture to a police database. The car appears to be the same one later seen fleeing the murder. He was wearing the same clothes. The car was registered to Wilkerson's relative. Investigators found it torched July 17 on the 1100 block of Wright Street. Kindred loved basketball and had a 'heart to help people,' his obituary stated. In the second murder, a Hammond teen was arrested after a married couple smoking marijuana were found shot up in a car. The assailant wore a black mask, records show. Xavier Cruz, now 18, of Hammond, was charged with murder and attempted murder in November with the Sept. 14, 2024, death of Steven Gonzalez, 20, of Hammond. Gonzalez's death was ruled a homicide. Hammond Police Detective James Onohan responded around 5:46 p.m. that evening to the 400 block of Huehn Street. Police recovered a gun magazine in the grass eight feet away. They also found five 9-mm shells. Surveillance footage showed three males walking in a gangway toward the car. One, Cruz's relative, now 20, has not been charged to date in public filings. A third teen was a light-skinned Hispanic, with glasses, a Chicago Bulls baseball hat and wavy hair. 'He just smoked them,' Cruz's relative said after the shooting. Afterwards, Cruz and his relative went to a home on the 4000 block of Towle Avenue. The man who lived there at first declined to let police in the home, but then gave permission. An older woman and three male teens were allowed to leave before a SWAT team raided it. After a search warrant, police found blood on a closet door and the floor. They seized cellphones, drugs, ammunition, and a gun hidden in the basement ceiling, which matched ballistics found at the scene. A warrant for Cruz's relative's phone eventually led to the third teen. Police learned Cruz's relative alleged the female victim recently stole a gun from him, and Xavier Cruz was the alleged shooter. Anyone with information can reach Escutia at 219-755-385 or Onohan at 219-853-6490.
Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Chicago Tribune
Gary man killed when he was hit on I-65 next to his disabled car
A Gary man was killed on Interstate 65 late Saturday night when he was struck by another vehicle while trying to put fuel in his car. Anthony Drake, 58, was pronounced dead due to multiple blunt force injuries, according to the Lake County Coroner's Office. Around 11:57 p.m., Indiana State Police troopers responded to a multiple-vehicle crash in the southbound lanes of I-65 about a mile north of the U.S. 30 exit, according to a news release. The location is currently undergoing construction work, which requires a multi-lane shift. A preliminary investigation determined that Drake, who was driving a black 2005 Cadillac, tried to pull over to the right and was stopped partially in the right lane because there was no emergency shoulder, police said. Drake was standing outside his Cadillac and trying to put fuel in it when he was struck by a passing vehicle, a Ford Flex. The Ford also struck the concrete barrier dividing the northbound and southbound lanes due to the impact, and a vehicle in the northbound lanes also struck the concrete wall, the release stated. The other drivers involved in the crash were treated at local hospitals for non-life-threatening injuries.
Chicago Tribune
4 days ago
- Chicago Tribune
Ten years later, family still searches for Diamond Bynum and King Walker
When Lashann Walker thinks about the last 10 years, the only way she can describe it is heartbreaking. For 10 years, Walker and her other family members have searched for Diamond Bynum and King Walker — her daughter and nephew who went missing in Gary. 'I try to put it into words, and it's hard,' Walker said. 'It's a pain that lies in my heart every second and every day. I wake up every morning with them on my mind, and I go to sleep with them on my mind.' On July 25, 2015, then 21-year-old Diamond Bynum and then 2-year-old nephew King Walker went missing after they left their Gary home, according to Post-Tribune archives. The two likely went for a walk on that Saturday morning. Bynum has Prader-Willi syndrome, which leads to slow mental development, so family members had to help care for her. At the time, she was also unfamiliar with the area. 'A lot can change in 10 years,' Walker said. 'At the time, King could hardly talk. He was just a baby, saying some words, but not full sentences. … They were both just kids.' Since the disappearance, Walker said she and other family members have searched for them, and there are still no leads on what happened. 'Someone out there knows what happened,' Walker said. 'If you know anything, please come forward.' A Gary Police Department officer was unable to speak about Bynum and King Walker's case this week. Gary spokesperson Erika Blackwell sent a statement on behalf of the department, saying they recognize the disappearance with 'deep respect and unwavering commitment.' The department has worked with multiple law agencies, including the Indiana State Police and Northwest Indiana Major Crimes Task Force. 'The case remains open and active,' the statement said. 'Our investigators continue to pursue every lead, re-examine evidence, and work closely with local, state, and federal partners in the ongoing search for answers. We recognize the profound and lasting impact this tragedy has had on Diamond and King's family. Their strength and resilience continue to inspire our commitment to uncovering the truth.' Those with information can contact the Gary Police Department or submit an anonymous tip at 219-207-8477, according to the statement. Walker expressed frustration with the Gary Police Department on this case and asked them to cooperate more with her family. As of Wednesday, she had not heard anything from police about Bynum and King Walker's case. 'I know they have a lot of cases and a lot they're dealing with, but I feel like Diamond and King have been swept under the rug,' Walker said. 'It feels like they don't matter anymore, and I don't know what else to do to make them matter.' In January, Bynum and King Walker were two people recognized at a Team NWI-Independent Search and Rescue's awareness event. At the time, 82 people in Gary were missing, according to the Indiana Missing Person Bulletin. In a January statement, Cannon said the information was outdated, and it's critical for residents to have the most accurate information. 'We take every missing person case seriously and dedicate all necessary resources to locate the individuals and bring them back safely to their families,' the statement said. 'It is our goal to work with the families of missing persons to protect their privacy and ensure the integrity of each case.' Multiple families of missing people have done search parties to look for their loved ones. Walker said search parties have continued to look for her daughter and grandson, even if she's unable to go along. 'They have people searching, but I have to work, so I'm never able to search,' Walker said. 'I wish I could work on the case fully and have time to investigate, but I have to pay my bills.' Although Walker might not be able to physically search for her daughter and nephew, she won't give up until they're found. 'All I can do is try to keep their name out there,' Walker said. 'And that's what I'm doing.'
Chicago Tribune
23-07-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Chicago man charged after crash into Indiana highway wall
A Chicago man was charged Tuesday with drunkenly crashing into a highway wall, records allege. Kyle N. Davis, 32, is charged with causing serious bodily injury when operating a vehicle while intoxicated and two misdemeanors. He is in custody, held on a $2,000 cash bond. Indiana State Police responded at 12:22 a.m. July 21 to the .02-mile marker on I-80 west in Hammond, just inside the state line. Davis initially told police he swerved to avoid someone in front of him and hit the wall. Then, as cops went to get the woman's ID, he changed his story, saying they had been at the casino for hours and he lost control of his white Chevrolet Equinox. 'You can test me right now, I ain't even drunk,' he said. He told police he had a busted lip and an injured leg. His female passenger was taken to the hospital with a cut lip, head pain and 'memory issues.' An affidavit shows Davis had a no contact order that barred him from seeing the woman. He told police he thought it just prevented them from fighting.
