A Belle Center man was charged with failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer after he reportedly lead authorities on a chase in the Belle Center area Sunday evening after initial reports that he had threatened a woman with a knife.
Following the pursuit that was terminated when the defendant traveled into Hardin County, Michael L. Driscol, 68, of 11251 County Road 106, Belle Center, was eventually located by deputies at his residence.
He was transported by BMRT EMS to Mary Rutan Hospital for treatment of a laceration to his forehead. He was treated and released and then was lodged in the Logan County Jail.
About 6:30 p.m., deputies initially responded to 112 Buckeye St., Belle Center, on a report that Driscol had threatened the female caller with a knife and now was driving behind her in a pickup.
In the 911 call, the Lakeview woman advised dispatchers that the defendant had maneuvered his vehicle in front of hers and stopped it, blocking the roadway. She said she was able to turn her vehicle around and drive in the opposite direction and left the area to get away from him.
While en route, deputies received reports of individuals providing a description of Driscol’s vehicle traveling in the area of the Belle Center corporation limit on State Route 273.
Deputies located the defendant driving eastbound on S.R. 273 and said he entered the Belle Center village limits. At that time, deputies activated lights and sirens on the patrol vehicle, but Driscol failed to stop, continuing along Center and Charles streets and swerving around a vehicle in front of him and failing to stop at a stop sign.
His actions caused the vehicle in front of him to go off the roadway into the Murray Griffin Memorial Park, deputies said.
Deputies followed Driscol out of the village limits onto C.R. 106, and said the defendant was exceeding speeds of 92 mph. He reached Hardin County and deputies terminated the pursuit.
A short time later, deputies located Driscol at his residence. He told deputies he did not remember what had occurred. He was transported to the hospital and later to the jail.
A report has been forwarded to the Logan County Prosecutor’s Office for the consideration of additional charges, including aggravated menacing, resisting arrest and operation of a vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.