LAKE COUNTY, IN — Authorities have filed multiple felony charges against 30-year-old Melissa Renee Nally after she allegedly drove under the influence with her three young children in the vehicle, resulting in a serious crash that left all three injured.
According to court documents, the incident occurred on the night of July 8, 2025, at approximately 10:12 p.m., when Nally was driving a red Ford Edge near Taft Street and the 2300 block of W. 47th Avenue. Nally reportedly lost control of the vehicle, veered off the road, and crashed into a utility pole and several mailboxes.
Deputies from the Lake County Sheriff’s Department arrived to find Nally seated in the parking lot of the Lake Ridge Fire Department, holding her 5-year-old daughter, who was visibly injured and crying. The child, identified in court records as Victim 1, had suffered a contusion to the forehead, swollen lips, and mouth injuries. When questioned, Nally confirmed that she had been the driver, responding, “yeah,” when asked directly.
When asked how many children were in the vehicle, Nally replied, “just three.” Family members later confirmed that the passengers included Victim 1 (age 5), Victim 2 (age 3), and Victim 3 (age 2). All three children were treated at the scene by Lake Ridge medics and transported to North-Lake Methodist Hospital for further evaluation. Victim 1 was later diagnosed with a concussion, while Victim 2 sustained a clavicle injury, and all three children had visible abrasions.
Deputies reported that Melissa Nally showed clear signs of intoxication, including slurred and stuttered speech, bloodshot and watery eyes, and a strong odor of alcohol. Nally admitted to having consumed “a little bit of vodka” before picking up her children and also acknowledged using her phone at the time of the crash. A certified breath test recorded her blood alcohol concentration at 0.184, more than twice the legal limit.
The Indiana Department of Child Services has been notified and is actively involved in the ongoing investigation. Melissa Renee Nally is currently being held in the Lake County Jail, where she faces the following charges, filed on July 10, 2025:
•Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Serious Injury – Level 3 Felony
•Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Bodily Injury – Level 5 Felony (2 counts)
•Causing Serious Bodily Injury When Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated – Level 5 Felony
•Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated: Endangering a Person Less Than 18 Years – Level 6 Felony (3 counts)
•Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated: Endangering a Person – Class A Misdemeanor
•Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated – Class C Misdemeanor
As the case proceeds through the legal system, officials emphasize that the safety of the children remains the highest priority. The investigation is ongoing, and additional details will be released as they become available.
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