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player ready...Jurors returned a split verdict Tuesday for a Portage man on trial for allegedly drunkenly driving against the Lake Station Independence Parade last year.
Richard Yakel, 57, was acquitted of the top charge – battery by means of a deadly weapon, a Level 5 felony. He was convicted of criminal recklessness and resisting law enforcement, both Level 6 felonies, plus four misdemeanors.
His sentencing hearing is Oct. 7.
Defense lawyer Kirk Marrie declined comment.
Charging documents allege Yakel came “extremely close” to hitting several groups of people, clipped Lake Station Fire Chief Chuck Fazekas’ back with his vehicle’s mirror and came two feet from hitting a toddler girl collecting candy in the grass.
New Chicago Detective Bradley Rivera wrote in a charging affidavit he was cruising in the parade around 5:30 p.m. July 3, 2025, when an “older” model red Ford Expedition was driving the opposite way, even though Central Avenue was blocked off and the parade was still going on.
Several people were trying to flag him down.
Rivera made a U-turn, but Yakel didn’t pull over for 6-9 blocks, according to the affidavit.
He failed several field sobriety tests at the jail — including the one-leg stand. Lake Station Officer C. Boney got a warrant for a blood draw. His blood alcohol content came back at 0.355% — more than four times the legal limit of 0.08%.