A Michigan City man was charged Monday with driving while suspended prior, battery to law enforcement and reckless driving, Burns Harbor Police said.

According to police, an officer first noticed a 1995 Buick to be driving irregularly on SR 149 near Tech Dr., and checking the plates of the vehicle, found the plates to belong to a white 1997 Oldsmobile. The officer activated his emergency lights, but the vehicle continued south and stopped near the toll road underpass. A passenger got out, and was instructed to step to the rear of the vehicle and place his hands on the trunk. The driver sped off and reached a speed of 100 miles per hour, went through the red light on US. Hwy 6 and traveled east.

The driver then cut through the parking lot of Road House Bar and proceeded west on US. Hwy 6. The vehicle then went into Whispering Sands Trailer Park. The vehicle came to a stop and the squad car parked, blocking the driver’s side door. The driver fled from the passenger’s side.

The police officer ordered the driver to stop, but the driver continued until the officer was able to grab the driver. The driver attempted to strike the officer a couple of times. Because of the wind, both the driver and police officer were affected by the chemical spray the police officer used to apprehend the driver.

Porter County Sheriff’s Department police assisted by using a Taser at which time the driver complied with orders and he was placed into handcuffs.

Both the driver, General R. Radenich, 34, of Michigan City, and the police officer were treated on the scene by EMS. Radenich was then transported to Porter County Jail and the officer was transported to Porter Valparaiso Hospital Campus.

Posted 12/3/2007