A LaPorte man faces serious charges after crashing his motorcycle while riding with his 6-year-old son, allegedly under the influence of alcohol.
Dakota Griffin, 27, has been charged in LaPorte Circuit Court with Neglect of a Dependent and Operating While Intoxicated. Both offenses are classified as Level 6 felonies.
According to LaPorte County Police, the incident happened just over two months ago when Griffin took his son for a motorcycle ride—despite the child’s mother pleading with him not to.
Griffin was riding north on Fail Road and failed to navigate a curve near Division Road, just outside LaPorte city limits. The motorcycle crashed and slid roughly 50 feet across the pavement before stopping in the southbound lane.
Authorities say the boy was wearing a helmet and sustained road rash on his arms. He managed to walk to a nearby home and told the resident about the crash.
Griffin, who was not wearing a helmet, was airlifted to Memorial Hospital in South Bend. He suffered severe road rash, bruised lungs, skull and collarbone fractures, and bleeding on the brain.
Aside from the road rash, the child had no other reported injuries.
The charges were delayed until July 3 because the hospital didn’t release toxicology and extensive medical records until late June.
Griffin’s blood alcohol level was reported at .157, nearly twice the legal limit of .08. Test results also indicated the possible presence of fentanyl and marijuana, which could result in enhanced or additional charges as the investigation continues.
