Chicago Woman Charged After Wrong-Way Drive on Indiana Interstate

Indiana State Police said Meisha Thomas called 911 at about 1:36 a.m. on November 1 while driving south on I-65. Dispatchers tracked her near the Lowell exit in Lake County, and a trooper found her vehicle after it entered Jasper County. Police said it was moving between 30 and 50 mph in a 70 mph zone, swerving across lanes and prompting other drivers to brake or take evasive action.

Thomas initially did not stop when the trooper activated emergency lights and siren, police said. She eventually stopped in the interstate’s left lane. The trooper noted that Thomas’s words were unclear, her eyes were red, her movements were unsteady, and she smelled strongly of alcohol. Thomas said she had departed a Gary casino and was headed home to Chicago. Police said she had traveled about 36 miles in the wrong direction.

Police said Thomas could not safely complete field sobriety tests and refused chemical testing. Troopers obtained a search warrant and collected a blood sample at a local hospital. During the arrest, she allegedly directed unwelcome sexual remarks and gestures at the trooper, among them an attempt to kiss him while he fastened her into the vehicle. Police said she continued after being told to stop.

Thomas was taken to Jasper County Jail. She faces a Level 6 felony charge of battery against a public safety official, along with misdemeanors for operating while intoxicated and endangering a person, operating while intoxicated, and reckless driving. Her next court appearance has not been announced.