Wild chase ends in court

A woman who allegedly led law enforcement on a wild chase that crossed four counties appeared in Hillsboro Municipal Court on Monday.

An affidavit filed with the court stated that shortly before 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, the Highland County Sheriff’s Office received information concerning the pursuit of a motor vehicle traveling westbound on U.S. 50 in the Bainbridge area.

According to the affidavit, the Ohio State Highway Patrol out of Ross County was in pursuit of a gray-colored Oldsmobile. The affidavit added that a HCSO deputy went to the Sinking Springs area after the vehicle was reportedly last seen on Pine Top Road in Pike County.

At 2:46 p.m., the deputy reportedly observed the vehicle while at the intersection of SR 124 and SR 41. According to the affidavit, the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed, passed another vehicle, and then accelerated at a higher speed.

The deputy reported that he activated his overhead lights and siren in an attempt to stop the vehicle, which was allegedly traveling at approximately 85 miles per hour when coming into the village of Sinking Springs.

The affidavit stated, “The vehicle lost control, going off the left side of the roadway, striking a large wall at North Street by a church. The vehicle sustained heavy damage but came back onto the roadway, traveling southbound on SR 41 again at a high rate of speed.”

The deputy described the vehicle’s damage, saying that “the hood … was ripped backwards and laying on the windshield, with little to no viability.”

The vehicle allegedly traveled through the Sinking Spring intersection at around 75 miles per hour. According to the affidavit, at the intersection of SR 41 and Straight Creek Road, the vehicle was traveling in the northbound lane and “oncoming traffic of three motor vehicles had to drive off the roadway to not be struck.”

The affidavit added that the vehicle continued onto Conway Road in Adams County, where it then stopped on the side of a roadway.

The deputy reported that a male front passenger “jumped out of the vehicle, as did the driver, and ran,” according to the affidavit.

The driver, identified as Felisha A. Coonrod, 30, Kingston, was apprehended. At that time, the deputy reported that he “noticed another male subject lying in the backseat,” the affidavit stated.

The subject was found to have injuries from the crash and was in need of medical attention. Coonrod also reportedly requested a squad. Both were transported to Adams County hospitals for their injuries, the affidavit added.

Coonrod appeared in municipal court on multiple charges Monday, including failure to comply with an officer, a third-degree felony, along with OVI, driving on an OVI suspension, leaving the scene of an accident, and driving on a suspension, all first-degree misdemeanors, and two counts of failure to maintain control as well as a seatbelt violation, all minor misdemeanors.

Coonrod also appeared on an unrelated charge of second-degree misdemeanor attempting to purchase an illegal amount of pseudoephedrine.

A preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 20, court records showed. Pretrials on her misdemeanor cases are also scheduled for that time.

According to records, Coonrod pled guilty to the pseudoephedrine charge. A 90-day jail sentence was imposed. She was also placed on reporting probation. Coonrod must stay away from Walmart and observe a curfew.

She was also found guilty of a probation violation on a criminal damaging conviction from earlier this year. A 90-day jail sentence began on that case on Sunday.

Records added that Coonrod is also prohibited from driving.

Also appearing on an OVI charge Monday was Gary Stone, 62, Peebles.

According to an affidavit, HCSO responded to a report on Friday that a male subject was passed out in a black Ford Ranger pickup truck in a SR 124 driveway.

When the deputy arrived, he reportedly observed the truck traveling southbound on SR 124. He then allegedly “witnessed the truck travel left of center several times,” the affidavit stated.

After the officer activated his overhead lights, the truck pulled into a driveway. While the deputy was attempting to exit his vehicle, the truck “allegedly went into reverse and traveled backwards and struck (the deputy’s) patrol (car) on the passenger’s front (side),” according to the affidavit.

The deputy then exited his vehicle and yelled at the driver to stop and put the truck in park. The driver – later identified as Stone – allegedly looked at the deputy in “a state of lethargy and confusion,” as stated in the affidavit.

The affidavit added that when the deputy told Stone that he had hit the patrol car, Stone allegedly “replied with a nonchalant ‘yeah.’”

The deputy reported smelling alcoholic beverages coming from the vehicle. He added that Stone’s eyes were “extremely glossy and his speech was extremely slurred,” according to the affidavit.

Stone was taken into custody. The affidavit added that Stone “has six prior OVIs.”

According to records, Stone pled guilty to OVI on Monday. All but three days of a 180-day jail sentence were suspended. His license was suspended for three years.

Stone must pay a $375 fine, obtain counseling at FRS, and possess no alcohol. Records added that he may have driving privileges in 30 days with an ignition interlock and restricted plates. He must have the ignition interlock for six months, records showed.

Accompanying minor misdemeanor charges were dismissed.

Reach Sarah Allen at 937-393-3456, ext. 1680, or on Twitter @SarahAllenHTG.

Coonrod
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2015/08/web1_FelishaCoonrod.jpgCoonrod
Driver allegedly pursued across four counties

By Sarah Allen

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