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Indiana man driving SUV at 104 mph had child in vehicle, deputies say

PINE TOWNSHIP, Ind. — An Indiana man is accused of racing his SUV at speeds up to 104 mph with a young child inside, authorities said.

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William Fredrick Herren III, 21, of Michigan City, was charged with felony neglect of a dependant and misdemeanor reckless driving and no insurance with a prior conviction charges, according to Porter County Sheriff’s Office online booking records.

According to deputies, Herren was driving a Ford Explorer along U.S. 20 on Tuesday when authorities observed him racing another vehicle at speeds that reached 104 mph, The Times of Northwest Indiana reported.

The speed limit on the highway was 55 mph, according to the newspaper.

When a deputy pulled him over, Herren allegedly told him that a driver in a Ford Fusion was racing him and that is why he was speeding, The Times reported.

“While speaking with William, I observed a small child in a car seat on the rear seat of the vehicle,” the deputy said in an arrest report.

Deputies also discovered that Herren had no proof of insurance and his driving status had been suspended, according to The Times.

The child, whose age was not revealed, was removed from the SUV and Indiana Child Protective Services officials were notified, the newspaper reported.