High-Speed Police Chase Passes Through Uptown Westerville
Police Pursuit Linked to Whitehall Shooting Ends North of Westerville
Westerville police were alerted Monday to a high-speed chase involving a vehicle wanted in connection with a previous shooting in Whitehall.
According to Whitehall police, the chase began after the vehicle was detected by the city’s Flock license plate reader system. Officers said the car had been sought for several weeks before it appeared on the camera.
The driver fled Whitehall on Interstate 270, heading toward Dublin, and reached the Outerbelt near Route 33. As the pursuit continued, Westerville police were notified as a precaution in case the vehicle entered their jurisdiction.
The car later exited I-270 at Cleveland Avenue, traveled south to Ferris Road, where it turned east, then north on Westerville Rd, Route 3C. It accelerated northbound to about 80 miles per hour while passing through Blendon Township.
The pursuit entered Westerville on South State Street and continued through Uptown. Officers from Whitehall Police, Westerville Police, Ohio State Highway Patrol, and Blendon Township Police were involved in the chase. The Columbus Police helicopter joined the chase just before it ended.
The vehicle continued through Uptown Westerville and across Maxtown Road, where Westerville officers disengaged from the pursuit. Whitehall police continued following the car north on U.S. Route 3C.
The chase ended in Genoa Township, just north of Westerville, where Whitehall officers stopped the vehicle. The last recorded speed before the stop was 91 miles per hour.
An officer at the scene said traffic conditions helped prevent injuries, noting the driver encountered green lights throughout Uptown, keeping intersections clear. The officer also pointed out damage to his patrol vehicle that occurred during the pursuit.
No injuries were reported. Police have not yet released information about arrests or charges related to the shooting investigation.
The Westerville News is a reader-supported publication by Gary Gardiner, a lifelong journalist who believes hyper-local reporting is the future of news. This publication focuses exclusively on Westerville—its local news, influence on Central Ohio, and how surrounding areas shape the community.
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