Chillicothe, OH – A routine traffic stop on North Bridge Street quickly escalated into a high-speed chase early on July 11, 2024, culminating in a dramatic collision that caused a city-wide power outage. An officer of the Chillicothe Police Department initiated the stop near Arby’s after noticing a black Volkswagen traveling with only daytime running lights activated and no tail lights.
According to Officers report, the vehicle, later identified as belonging to Richard Rowland Jr., attempted to evade the traffic stop by turning into Zane Plaza’s private drive, then accelerating southbound through the parking lot. Ignoring the sirens and lights of the police cruiser, Rowland proceeded to speed eastbound on Pawnee Rd and southbound on Bridge Street, reaching speeds exceeding 100 MPH.
The pursuit intensified as Rowland turned onto Water Street, disregarding a stop sign at the intersection with Sugar Street and crossing railroad tracks at dangerously high speeds. Attempting a left turn onto Brownell Street, Rowland lost control of the vehicle, colliding with a utility pole on the northeast corner of the intersection before coming to a halt on the grass at 581 E Water Street.
The officer swiftly approached the scene, pinning Rowland’s driver’s side door with his cruiser to prevent escape. With assistance from other officers, Rowland was apprehended after breaking the front passenger window and attempting to exit the vehicle. He was subsequently handcuffed and transported to Ross County Jail.
The collision resulted in significant damage, including the shearing of the utility pole, leading to a widespread power outage across the city. Photographs taken at the scene depicted the aftermath, showing extensive damage to Rowland’s vehicle with both front and side airbags deployed.
During a search of the vehicle, Officer Yoder discovered personal items belonging to Rowland, including cell phones, vape devices, and identification. Following medical clearance at Adena Regional Medical Center (ARMC), Rowland was read his Miranda rights and agreed to provide a blood sample for testing, revealing the presence of Gabapentin, a medication used to treat nerve pain, in his system.
Rowland faces multiple charges including Failure to Comply and Operating a Vehicle Impaired (OVI), alongside a probation violation warrant from Chillicothe Municipal Court. He remains in custody pending a scheduled court appearance on July 12, 2024. Along with those charges Rowland had warrant charges of assault and theft without consent.
The pursuit spanned approximately 2.11 miles over a tense two-minute period, occurring under clear weather conditions with minimal traffic. The Ohio State Police lab will analyze the blood sample as part of the ongoing investigation into the incident.
