ROSS COUNTY, Ohio —– Law enforcement across southern Ohio were involved in a dangerous high-speed pursuit Sunday morning involving a semi.
It all began West of Chillicothe when law enforcement was advised of a reported stolen tractor-trailer. The semi was called into Fayette County Sheriff’s office from the Highway Patrol in Greene County after a passerby said the semi was driving erratic, according to Fayette County Sheriff Vernon P. Stanforth. Deputies spotted the semi along Route 35 near County Road 550 in Ross County. When deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the driver continued speeding. When they ran the plate, it came back stolen.
Speeds in the chase reached nearly 90 miles-per-hour with the driver attempting to strike pursuing deputies multiple times. Near Richmond Dale, Sergeant Carl Lawhorn was forced into the guardrail, disabling his cruiser. He was leading the pursuit and was driving heroically to keep innocent motorists out of the way. Lawhorn suffered no serious injuries in the crash.
Multiple attempts at spike strips were unsuccessful as the runaway semi barreled into Jackson County with deputies and troopers in hot pursuit. Eventually, partial spike strips took out a front tire, but the chase continued.
Troopers successfully deployed commercial stop sticks in Jackson County and the pursuit ended a short while later, when deputies took the driver into custody.
The vehicle eventually jackknifed after losing the front tires along Route 35 near Lloyds Bridge Road. The driver, later identified as 44-year-old Steven Neikirk attempted a final escape by driving into the opposite lanes of traffic and then, driving backwards. He were subsequently apprehended.
“We were in a backup roll to their pursuit of a stolen semi,” said Trooper Derek Malone of the Highway Patrol. “Our Troopers located the pursuit near Bridge Street in Ross County and followed the pursuit as you saw. Troopers successfully deployed commercial stop sticks in Jackson County and the pursuit ended a short while later, when deputies took the driver into custody.”
Stanforth praised those who were involved in the chase.
“Ross County deputies did an excellent job,” the Sheriff said. “The Highway Patrol and Jackson County, as well.”
Neikirk is being held in the Ross County Jail without bond on three felony counts of resisting arrest, receiving stolen property, and fleeing and eluding.