PICKAWAY & ROSS COUNTIES, OH — A high-speed pursuit that began with a simple speeding violation in Commercial Point early Wednesday escalated into a multi-agency chase across two counties, ending only after the suspect struck a deer at 85 mph and officers deployed stop sticks. Along the way, suspected drugs were thrown from the fleeing vehicle and later recovered by deputies.
The incident began around 2:05 a.m. on April 16, when Commercial Point Police Officers Hiroki Barker and Lucas Forte attempted to stop a black Kia Soul (Ohio plate KFY1530) for speeding. The driver failed to comply, launching a high-speed chase that reached speeds of over 100 mph.
The pursuit traveled south on SR 104 through Pickaway County and into Ross County via Chillicothe Pike and Williamsport Pike. During the pursuit, officers reported that occupants of the vehicle were tossing objects from the car. Commercial Point Police broadcast via radio that baggies were thrown near a curve on Williamsport Pike, referred to as the “90.”
Deputy Kreager from Pickaway County responded to the area and located three baggies near a sharp turn at the east end of Williamsport Pike. Two of the bags contained a large quantity of a crystalline substance, and the third held a small amount of white powder—both suspected to be illegal narcotics.
Deputy Kreager documented and photographed the scene, logged the coordinates (39.473662, -83.025859) and collection time (3:19 a.m.), and turned over the evidence to Officer Barker at 6:15 a.m. for further investigation.
Meanwhile, the chase continued, slowing significantly after the suspect struck a deer while traveling west on Pennyroyale Road. Taking advantage of the vehicle’s reduced speed, Ross County Sheriff’s deputies and other officers deployed stop sticks near the intersection of Westfall and Pennyroyale Roads. The vehicle struck the stop sticks and was eventually stopped near 16280 Westfall Road.
Officers conducted a felony stop with weapons drawn. Several passengers were detained, including Andrew Letlow, who was taken into custody without incident. Letlow admitted to smoking an unknown quantity of fentanyl and began showing signs of overdose. Officers quickly removed his restraints to prevent breathing issues and transferred him to EMS upon arrival.
Letlow was found to have an outstanding warrant for failing to appear on previous narcotics and weapons charges.
Jacqueline Haller, 42 was arrested and charged with possession of drugs, tampering with evidence, unlawful restraint (A juvenile was in the car), unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, failure to comply, speeding, driving under suspension, and no tail lights. She is currently being held at Pickaway County jail awaiting court.
Officials praised the coordination between agencies, which included law enforcement from Commercial Point, Pickaway and Ross County Sheriff’s Offices, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and Chillicothe Police, for ending the potentially dangerous chase without further incident.
