A high speed pursuit of a stolen vehicle that began in Hardin County ended with a rollover crash around 8:25 p.m. Monday in the 3300 block of U.S. Route 68 near Wishwell Farms Produce in Logan County.
The suspect was transported by squad to Mary Rutan Hospital and then flown by medical helicopter to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, deputies of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office report.
At the helicopter pad prior to the transport to the Dayton hospital, deputies of the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office said the male suspect refused to identify himself, but repeatedly said he was “sorry for jeopardizing everyone’s safety.”
Prior to the vehicle entering Logan County, Hardin County deputies were in pursuit of a stolen 2017 Ford Expedition that had been stolen in Trenton, Mich.
Hardin County deputies activated their overhead lights and attempted to initiate a traffic stop with the vehicle, which fled south on U.S. 68.
The pursuit began approximately one mile north of Kenton and continued through the city of Kenton and southbound along U.S. 68 into Logan County.
Law enforcement attempted to deploy spike strips at the intersection of U.S. 68 and State Route 273, but the suspect avoided the spike strips by driving in the ditch.
A Logan County deputy said he caught up with the pursuit in the area of U.S. 68 and State Route 638 and the suspect’s vehicle nearly went head-on with the patrol car. Deputies said speeds approached nearly 120 mph in a 55 mph zone.
Another Logan County deputy was in position at U.S. 68 and County Road 290 to deploy additional spike strips. The deputy successfully spiked the suspect vehicle, but at the same time, the suspect conducted an evasive action to avoid the spike strips. The high rate of speed reportedly caused the operator to go off the right side of the road.
The vehicle struck a gravel farm entrance, went airborne and overturned several times, coming to a final rest on its top and ejecting the operator.
Law enforcement immediately exited their vehicles with their service pistols drawn. Deputies said K9 Thor was focused on an area left of the vehicle in a cornfield, where the suspect then stood up.
The suspect was commanded to show his hands, but the man was moving around, so K9 Thor was released and engaged the suspect on his lower right leg. Deputies said the man continued to move his arms around, and the canine then bit the suspect’s left forearm.
The suspect was detained in handcuffs behind his back and was rendered medical attention by Bellefontaine EMS personnel. Further investigation revealed he had potentially been ejected from the vehicle.
Damage was heavy to the stolen vehicle, which was towed from the scene.
Logan County deputies are handling the crash investigation and Hardin County deputies are handling the criminal and traffic offenses.
Other agencies assisting included the Kenton Police Department, Bellefontaine Police Department, Bellefontaine Fire Department and Osborn’s Towing.