Two struck by car while changing flat tire on I-65 shoulder

A motorist who had pulled over to change a flat tire and a good Samaritan who stopped to help her were struck by a car Thursday evening on I-65 in northwest Indiana.

Danielle Nicole Stovall was driving a purple 1995 Dodge Intrepid on I-65 about 6:45 p.m. when her car ran off the road just south of the ramp to U.S. 231 in Crown Point, Ind., according to a statement from Indiana State Police. The Dodge sideswiped a man and woman who were trying to change the tire before Stovall drove off.

“Impairment may have been a contributing factor to the crash,” the ISP statement said.

A witness followed the Dodge to a motel, where he notified authorities, police said. Officers came to the motel and arrested the 31-year-old Stovall.

The driver of the car with the flat, identified as 23-year-old Megan Lea Nilson of Michigan City, Ind.; and the good Samaritan, identified as 60-year-old Dennis C. Wagner of San Pierre, Ind., were taken to Saint Anthony’s Hospital in Crown Point, state police said.

Stovall was also taken to Saint Anthony’s, and all three were treated for injuries that were not thought to be life-threatening.

Stovall, of Lowell, Ind., was charged with driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident with injuries, police said.