A Whiting man was sentenced Thursday in a Hammond head-on car crash, court records show.
David Sanchez, 66, was sentenced to two years in Lake County Community Corrections and two years probation. He can apply for house arrest after his first year.
He pleaded guilty July 27 to Causing Serious Bodily Injury when Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated, a level 5 felony. He faced 1-6 years.
Hammond Police responded to a three-vehicle crash at 10 p.m. July 3, 2021 on the 2300 block of Michigan Street.
Witnesses said Sanchez’s gold Honda CR-V crossed the centerline, struck a blue Dodge Caravan heading east on Michigan Street, then spun around and hit the black Nissan Altima behind him, charges state.
Sanchez was extracted from his SUV, police said. He had pain in his knee and lower leg. Officers smelled alcohol, police said. His speech was slurred and “thick-tongued.”
He was transported to the University of Chicago Hospital by a Hammond Fire Department ambulance.
Later court documents note the victim — in the minivan — had a fractured pelvis and shin. The initial charging affidavit said paramedics thought he may have had a skull fracture.
The emergency brake was pressing into his leg, they said. He was transported to Chicago. The woman with him said she was having trouble breathing and was taken to a hospital.
A third man in the car behind him did not appear to be hurt, according to court records.
Tests from the University of Chicago showed Sanchez had a 0.17% blood alcohol content, court records state.