Suspects Identified in Alleged Afternoon High Speed Chase

The wreckage in front of Farmers Bank was a result of a pursuit that reportedly began on US 33. Firefighters extricated the occupants from the suspect vehicle, which is shown cut open. Photo by Carrie Gloeckner.

POMEROY, Ohio – A pursuit that began on US 33 ended in Pomeroy, Ohio with a suspect crashing with a Meigs County Deputy.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, on Jan. 31, 2018 at 2:24 p.m. a traffic stop was attempted on US 33 in Bedford Township. An Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper tried to make the traffic stop, but the vehicle refused to stop and fled. The suspect was driving at speeds in excess of 100 mph on US 33 as it pursuit continued to State Route 833 going into Pomeroy.

At that point, Pomeroy Police Department Officers intercepted the suspect on East Main Street. Attempts to stop the vehicle were unsuccessful, but the vehicle went onto the sidewalk in front the Pomeroy Village Hall and Police Department. The suspect drove on the sidewalk until striking a Meigs County Sheriff’s Deputy head on in the entrance of Farmers Bank.

Deputy Ian Fennel was not seriously injured in the crash. He was treated and released from the Meigs Holzer Emergency Room.

The occupants of the 2002 Honda Accord that had led law enforcement on the chase were identified as the driver, Marcus A. Ervin, 27, of Canal Winchester and passenger, Keonjta Kuhn, 26, of Columbus. Both were wearing their seat belts.

The occupants of the Honda Accord were extracted by firefighters with the Pomeroy Fire Department. The fire department responded to the scene with 15 firefighters.

Ervin and Kuhn were flown to Columbus to the Ohio State University. The statement from the Ohio State Highway Patrol did not list the current condition of Ervin and Kuhn, but it was reported their injuries were not life threatening.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol had one lane of Main Street blocked off while they investigated the scene. The road was closed about two hours. Also on scene were Meigs County Sheriff’s Office, Pomeroy Police Department, Meigs EMS, and Pomeroy Fire Department.

Meigs County Prosecutor James Stanley was also on scene briefly consulting with law enforcement.

The Meigs Independent Press will continue to cover this story as more information becomes available.