Helicopter video shows police pursuit, multi-vehicle crash in Ohio

Video Description

Four suspects were hospitalized from a multi-vehicle crash after leading law enforcement officers on a pursuit in Montgomery County last week, authorities said. On June 5, an officer with the Perry Township Police Department initiated a traffic stop on a white GMC Sierra with no visible registration at Diamond Mill Road and Wolf Creek Pike. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said the pickup truck was stopped for multiple traffic violations. There were several people inside, including a man riding in the bed of the truck, according to the sheriff's office. Investigators said they were believed to be connected to recent thefts in the area. The pickup truck drove away from the traffic stop. The sheriff's office said deputies who were conducting a crime blitz in the area responded to assist officers in a pursuit. The Ohio State Highway Patrol provided air support from a helicopter. During the pursuit, the sheriff's office said the driver attempted to strike an unmarked sheriff’s office cruiser on U.S. 35 near Hoover Avenue and West Third Street. According to the sheriff's office, the man in the bed of the truck started unloading large wooden boards onto the road in an attempt to hit or disable pursuing law enforcement vehicles. Deputies deployed multiple sets of stop sticks. While the pickup truck struck them, the sheriff's office said it was able to regain traction and continued driving. The truck crossed into the westbound lanes on U.S. 35 East at Abbey Avenue and drove directly at oncoming traffic. The sheriff's office said an unmarked sheriff’s vehicle struck the rear driver's side of the truck near James H. McGee Boulevard to try and disable it. The suspect vehicle regained control and continued heading east in the westbound lanes of U.S. 35, according to the sheriff's office. Deputies followed behind the suspect vehicle to assist in shutting the interstate down and alert oncoming traffic. The sheriff's office said the suspect vehicle struck another vehicle head-on at Interstate 75 and Dryden Avenue, which quickly resulted in a crash involving six vehicles. Four people got out of the truck and started running away from the crash scene, but were soon taken into custody, according to the sheriff's office. They were taken to a hospital where they remained under guard duty. The sheriff's office said several people involved in the crash were taken to nearby hospitals. None of their injuries was considered life-threatening. The sheriff's office is leading the criminal investigation while OSHP investigates the crash. According to the sheriff's office, the suspects could face several charges, including possession of drugs, aggravated vehicular assault, felony fleeing and eluding and felonious assault on a peace officer. The charges will be presented to the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office for review.