SALINEVILLE - A village police officer in pursuit of a reckless driver Monday struck a deer but was able to continue his pursuit over nearly 10 miles of state highway, Chief Terry McElroy said.
McElroy said Derek Barnhart of Hull Road was jailed Monday night and appeared in Columbiana County Municipal Court in Lisbon on Tuesday.
According to court records, a June 28 preliminary hearing was set for Barnhart, 37. His address in court records was listed as Columbiana Lisbon Road, Columbiana.
Court documents show he is charged with failure to comply related to the reported chase. It was also reported he passed a semi truck on a blind curve near the state Route 39 and state Route 164 split.
A pretrial was set for June 28 on additional charges of OVI first offense, driving under suspension, reckless operation, use of an unauthorized plate, open container and drug paraphernalia, all stemming from the same incident.
According to the police report, Patrolman Adam Little was on routine patrol in the village around 5:10 p.m. Monday when he saw Barnhart driving east on state Route 39 at a high rate of speed, and left of center. Little attempted a traffic stop, but Barnhart continued to flee.
While in pursuit, Little's patrol car struck a deer on Blair Road just north of Roses Run Road.
Little was able to continue driving after striking the deer, and stopped Barnhart in a private drive on Roses Run Road. Barnhart struck the patrol car with his vehicle, and Little arrested him.
McElroy said neither Little nor Barnhart were injured. Barnhart was transported to the Columbiana County Jail.
At times during the pursuit, Barnhart's speed was in excess of 80 miles per hour, McElroy said. Inside the village limits, Barnhart was left of center and going at least 55 miles per hour in a 35 zone, the chief said.
McElroy said he suspects Barnhart fled when Little attempted to stop him because besides speeding and driving left of center, Barnhard ended up being charged with driving with his license suspended and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.
After striking the deer and being struck by Barnhart's vehicle, McElroy said Little's patrol car was drivable but cannot be used on patrol until it is repaired.
