TIPP CITY — A chase led to a fiery crash in Tipp City Friday.
Tipp City Police Chief Jack Davis said it all started with a chase Friday evening.
“One of our officers was on patrol Friday evening around 9 pm, traveling going north on 25A, and witnessed a car traveling south at a high rate of speed. He estimated the speed around 70mph,” Davis said.
Davis said the officers attempted to get the driver’s attention by turning on his lights and sirens.
“The driver continued on at a high rate of speed and ignored his signal to turn to pull over,” he said.
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The driver turned left and headed south on Peters Road, they were too far ahead for officers to approach them.
The officers were getting ready to call off the chase when the car crashed out.
“Right before he terminated the pursuit, he saw a plume of smoke coming from a detached garage and that’s when he discovered that the car hit the garage,” Davis said.
He said officers thing the car hit a light pole, continued through the grass, hit the garage, then caught fire.
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They suspect the driver damaged the gas tank or fuel line during the crash, leading to the fiery collision.
The loud crash alerted the homeowners who came outside to find two people running into the woods, Davis said.
Officers found two people in the woods and took them into custody.
“The passenger was interviewed. He indicated he told the driver to stop. He did not. He was interviewed and released to a family member,” Davis said.
The driver was arrested on charges of fleeing and eluding, operating a vehicle while intoxicated as well as speeding and reckless operation.