High-Speed Pursuit on I-71 Ends in Arrests Near Ashland County Line; No Injuries Reported
MEDINA COUNTY — A high-speed pursuit that began in Cuyahoga County and stretched through Medina County ending before the Ashland County line resulted in the arrest of two suspects Thursday afternoon causing a traffic nightmare.
According to Lieutenant Bridget Matt of the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Medina Post, the incident began when troopers attempted to stop a vehicle traveling 79 mph in a 60 mph zone on Interstate 71 southbound in Cuyahoga County.
“The vehicle failed to stop and a pursuit ensued that came down through Medina County and almost to Ashland County,” Lt. Matt said.
During the chase, the Medina County Sheriff’s Office successfully deployed spike strips, deflating the fleeing vehicle’s tires. Both the driver and passenger fled on foot after the vehicle came to a stop, but were quickly apprehended without further incident.
“We did apprehend the driver and the passenger of the vehicle, and they are both facing felony charges,” Matt confirmed.
Lt. Matt said the pursuit involved multiple law enforcement resources that happened to be in the right place at the right time.
“We were able to utilize the Medina County Sheriff’s Office and their SWAT team,” she said. “We also had drones and the Highway Patrol aviation unit — we had an airplane up. So, we were able to utilize all of our resources in addition to a K-9 to help us apprehend the suspects.”
She confirmed no injuries were reported during the incident.
The names of the suspects and the specific felony charges are expected to be released as the investigation continues.
