An unidentified subject led law enforcement on a chase Thursday morning through Highland County fields and across roads before he crashed his vehicle, fled on foot, stole another vehicle, and managed to get away, according to Highland County Sheriff Donnie Barrera.

Barrera said that at 8:15 a.m. Thursday his office was contacted by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, advising that it was in pursuit of a truck in the area of Bectal Road and SR 138 in Paint Township in Highland County.

Shortly thereafter, the suspect driving the truck drove off the road and into fields. The truck was being followed from the highway as it traveled through the fields, Barrera said.

At 8:35 a.m. the truck crossed over U.S. Route 50, traveling south and still in the fields. Two minutes later the truck came back onto the roadway and almost struck a deputy on Barrett Mill Road, according to Barrera.

At 8:43 a.m. the truck entered the village of Cynthiana in Pike County, crossed over SR 41, then the driver turned the truck onto a side street where it struck a camper trailer before coming to a stop. The male driver exited the vehicle and ran southwest near Muddy Fork Road, the sheriff said.

A female passenger in the truck was taken into custody at the scene and was later transported to the Pike County Sheriff’s Office.

The Highland County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit arrived on the scene and tracked the male suspect into the woods until it was reported that the subject had stolen a vehicle from the area, Barrera said.

The Pike County Sheriff’s Office was at the scene, along with the state patrol.

The case remains under investigation.

Barrera asked that anyone with information regarding the investigation contact the Pike County Sheriff’s Office, Highland County Sheriff’s Office at 937-393-1421, or the Ohio State Highway Patrol.