FPS staff report
December 29, 2009
A Bergholz man attempting to elude a Sheriff Deputy is blamed for a head-on collision that occurred Dec. 26 in Harrison Twp.
Ronnie D. Watson, 25, of 444 4th St., Bergholz, is facing charges from both the Carroll County Sheriff's Department and New Philadelphia Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. He remains in the Carroll County Jail on a $50,000 cash/surety bond on a third degree felony charge of failure to comply with the signal of a police officer, filed by the Sheriff's Department. He is also charged with speeding, two counts of Driving Under Suspension (DUS), driving left of center, failure to comply and an open container violation by the Sheriff's Department and is facing charges of failure to control and another charge of DUS filed by State Troopers.
Sheriff Dale Williams said Sgt. Ron Clapper was stationed at the site of a former car dealership on SR 43 between Milo and Arrow roads checking speeds with a radar gun. Sheriff Dale Williams said he stopped to talk to Clapper. It was while the two men were talking that Clapper clocked a vehicle headed north on SR 43 at 83 miles per hour. Williams said Clapper turned on his lights and began to pursue the driver, who was later identified as Watson.
Watson turned right onto Arrow Rd. and Clapper followed but lost sight of the vehicle. He contacted Williams who was heading north on SR 43, and told him he was calling off the pursuit. Clapper turned around and headed back toward SR 43. Williams turned around and headed back toward Carrollton. Williams came upon the scene of the crash on Arrow Rd. near the intersection of SR 43.
Williams said he later learned Watson had pulled the vehicle into a private drive to hide from Clapper. Once Clapper went past the site, Watson pulled back onto Arrow Rd. and headed for SR 43 at a high rate of speed.
Troopers said Watson attempted to negotiate a turn at a high rate of speed, lost control, went off the right side of the road, came back onto the roadway, went left of center and struck an oncoming vehicle head-on.
Watson and a passenger in his vehicle, James Loterbaugh, 27, of 127 25th St., Canton, were transported to Aultman Hospital for their injuries.
The driver of the other car, Jeff Moore, 57, of 292 SR 524, Bergholz, and Kathy Saunier, 54, of 166 Spring Rd., Minerva, were transported to Mercy Medical Center for treatment of injuries. Troopers said both have been released from the hospital.
Sheriff Williams said Watson was not drunk, but had been drinking and had an open container of alcohol in the vehicle. During an appearance in Carroll County Municipal Court before Judge Charles Johnston Monday, Watson indicated he planned to hire an attorney. His next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 7 at 2:45 p.m.
Both vehicles were severely damaged. Troopers, who filed the crash report, said the wreck occurred at approximately 5 p.m. |
