High-Speed Tesla Chase Ends in Arrest on I-71

Ashland County, OH — A high-speed chase that began in Medina County and spanned multiple jurisdictions came to a end on Saturday when a 70-year-old Tallmadge man was arrested after refusing to stop for law enforcement.

 

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Victor Head was driving westbound on I-76 in a black 2022 Tesla Model Y when a Medina County trooper attempted to initiate a traffic stop for speeding—clocked at 99 miles per hour. Instead of pulling over, Head accelerated and merged onto I-71 southbound.

 

The Medina County Sheriff’s Office and Lodi Police Department joined the pursuit as it continued into Ashland County. There, troopers from the Ashland County Post and deputies from the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office became involved. Spike strips were deployed near mile marker 184, successfully puncturing both passenger-side tires of the Tesla.

 

The vehicle came to a stop two miles later, near the 182-mile marker. Despite coming to a halt, Head initially refused to exit the vehicle. After a 15-minute standoff, he eventually complied and was taken into custody without incident.

 

Head was checked at the scene by Ashland EMS before being transported to the Medina County Jail. He has been charged with failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, a fifth-degree felony.

 

The standoff caused significant traffic backups in both directions on I-71, though no injuries were reported.