From the Porter County Sheriff's Office:
Officer Paul Czupryn was working crowd control at the
Valparaiso Fireworks on Saturday July 4th 2015 at Valplayso. At approximately
9:30pm, Officer Czupryn observed a vehicle drive over a curb from Glendale
Boulevard into a closed construction area of the playground. The vehicle was
accelerating toward a group of more than 100 spectators that were watching the
fireworks. Officer Czupryn ran along side the vehicle banging on the driver
side trying to get the driver to "Stop!" When it was obvious the
driver was not going to stop, Officer Czupryn opened the driver's side door as
he ran along side and was pushed back by the driver. He was able to pull on the
steering wheel, directing the vehicle away from the now scattering crowd, as
they ran toward the road out of the vehicle's line of travel. Officer Czupryn
then lost his grip and fell from the fleeing vehicle, sustaining minor
injuries, and immediately radioed for assistance. He then ran back to his fully
marked Police Issued Motorcycle, where he attempted to check the area to locate
the vehicle. Officer Czupryn did locate the suspect vehicle a short distance
away, where the driver again refused to stop for the fully marked motorcycle
unit. The suspect vehicle was boxed in by several other vehicles at a stop light
when Officer Czupryn then pulled behind the vehicle, reached in through the
passenger side and shut the vehicle off. The suspect was taken into custody and
several charges are pending including Minor Consumption, Operating while
Intoxicated (presumptive Blood Alcohol level of .20%), Criminal Recklessness,
and Resisting Law Enforcement. The passenger was also arrested for Minor
Consumption of alcohol. An excellent job by Officer Czupryn for all the lives
he saved that night alone and fighting to keep our community safe!
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