Brief 100 mph chase ends with charges

TOWNSEND TOWNSHIP — A Sandusky man who allegedly led a sheriff’s deputy on a brief high-speed chase reaching speeds of 100 mph late Monday night has been charged with operating a vehicle while impaired and failure to comply with police orders.

Brent Bluhm, 23, led deputy Brian McGrady on a 2.7-mile chase while westbound on U.S. 6 east of Sandusky County Road 260, according to a sheriff’s report released Thursday.

When Bluhm came to a stop, he refused to exit the vehicle and was talking on the phone, an incident report stated.

The report said Bluhm told McGrady he did not see the overhead lights activated when McGrady tried to pull Bluhm over for speeding.

The report said Bluhm’s speech was slurred and that he had to concentrate to speak with McGrady.

Bluhm reportedly agreed to a field sobriety test, and the report said Bluhm struggled to maintain balance. Bluhm admitted to McGrady he used Suboxone, a drug used to treat opiate addiction, before the traffic stop and told the officer he had not been drinking alcohol and was medically cleared to drive, the report said.

The deputy arrested Bluhm for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, and a blood test was administered on scene by Sandusky County Life Squad 18.

The vehicle’s registered owner told deputies at the scene that Bluhm was repairing the vehicle, but she did not give hime permission to drive it.

The deputy also cited Bluhm for not wearing a seat belt and driving under suspension. Bluhm’s court hearing is set for 11:20 a.m. Sept. 11 at Sandusky County Common Pleas Court. Bond was set at $2,000.

Bluhm previously was found guilty in 2011 of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and was found guilty of possession of drug instruments in 2013. He has pending criminal cases for tampering with evidence and possession of heroin. Bluhm pleaded not guilty to both charges.

cshoup@gannett.com

419-334-1035

Twitter: CraigShoupNH