A traffic stop on U.S. 33 resulted in a chase for Union County Sheriff’s deputies on Saturday afternoon.
“We received a complaint about two Mustangs on U.S. 33 that were possibly racing,” said Chief Deputy Tom Morgan. “We stopped both vehicles east of U.S. 36.”
One of the vehicles, a 1990 Ford Mustang, driven by Johnathan E. Gonzalez, 20, of Lima, then took off, initiating a pursuit.
According to sheriff’s reports, Gonzalez fled westbound on U.S. 33 and onto U.S. 36 where two property damage crashes occurred—one involving an Ohio State Highway Patrol cruiser.
“The Highway Patrol assisted in the pursuit and during the pursuit, a deputy came upon a wrecked cruiser,” Morgan said. According to OSP, the Highway Patrol portion is still under investigation.
According to sheriff’s reports, the crash involving the Patrol cruiser occurred at U.S. 36 and Mackan Road.
The second occurred on U.S. 36 and Whitestone Road.
The report also stated that the deputies lost sight of the vehicle and ended the pursuit.
Later in the day Saturday, Gonzalez turned himself into the Sheriff’s Office.
He was charged with failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer and reckless operation.
He was then transported to Tri-County Regional Jail.