Muskingum and Perry County officers responded to a pursuit

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – A Muskingum County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to stop a vehicle at 1:25 A.M. for fictitious tags. The vehicle failed to comply and was then pursued by at least two Muskingum County Sheriff’s Deputies.

According to Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz the attempted police stop started on Maysville Pike, the vehicle drove through two or three lawns and fled to Perry County by driving U.S. Route 22. At approximately 1:33 A.M. the vehicle crashed into a guard rail and flipped after the Wesley Chapel road intersection.

“We did take two males into custody,” Sheriff Lutz said. “Both of the males were transported to [Genesis Hospital], evaluated, checked out, and released. The passenger had a warrant out of Perry County, so he was transported down to Perry County. The driver was transported back to Muskingum County Jail, where he is awaiting charges.”

Sheriff Lutz said official charges have not been filed yet. However, the driver could potentially be charged with fictitious tags, failure to comply, felony fleeing and eluding, and possibly criminal damaging charges.

A Muskingum County Sheriff’s Deputy reported the vehicle was driving over 100 miles per hour some point during this pursuit.

“We’re very thankful and fortunate that no innocent bystanders got hurt,” Sheriff Lutz said. “So any time you have a pursuit you take those chances, but you know they’re necessary in law enforcement when trying to maintain peace and order.”

Muskingum County had about three other Sheriff’s Deputies respond to the crash site as well as Perry County Sheriff’s Deputies. Ohio State Highway Patrol responded and handled the accident as well as local Emergency Medical Services.