Late Wednesday night, a driver who allegedly threatened law enforcement on social media led troopers from the Ironton post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol on a high-speed run from Proctorville into Huntington. The chase ended with the driver in cuffs and officers saying they pulled a military-style rifle and a large stash of ammunition from the vehicle.
How the pursuit unfolded
According to WSYX, the Ohio State Highway Patrol was notified on March 25 that someone was making threats against troopers and other law enforcement on social media, and that the person was believed to be armed. Around 11:15 p.m., Ironton Post troopers and Lawrence County sheriff’s deputies tried to pull over a vehicle near State Route 7 and County Road 403 in Proctorville. Instead of stopping, the driver reportedly took off and the pursuit began.
Where it ended
The chase pushed south on State Route 7 into Chesapeake, then crossed the 6th Street Bridge into Huntington and wound through city streets before the vehicle finally stopped near 8th Street and 11th Avenue. Huntington police showed up as the car came to a halt, and troopers took the driver into custody without further incident. Authorities say the incident is still under investigation.
Weapons, charges and custody
Officers reported finding an AK-47 style rifle in the vehicle along with about 180 rounds of ammunition. They also say the suspect had a pistol tucked in his waistband. The patrol identified the driver as Casey O’Brien of Springfield. He was booked into the Western Regional Jail and Correctional Facility in Barboursville, West Virginia.
The Lawrence County prosecutor’s office is seeking criminal charges for fleeing, and the patrol said it was assisted on scene by the Huntington Police Department, the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, the Cabell County Sheriff’s Office and the West Virginia State Police, according to WSYX.
What the law says
Under Ohio law, “failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer,” often called fleeing and eluding, can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. Severity depends on factors such as speed, danger to the public and whether the driver was trying to get away after committing another felony. The statute and sentencing ranges are laid out in Ohio Revised Code Section 2921.331, found in the Ohio Revised Code, and prosecutors will review the patrol’s investigation before deciding exactly what charges to file.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol says the investigation is ongoing and has asked anyone with information to contact local law enforcement. This story will be updated as authorities release more details.
