High-speed chase spans seven counties

MANSFIELD - A North Ridgeville man who officials said was thought to be intoxicated led officers from at least seven Ohio agencies on a high speed chase early Sunday morning, failing to stop for police in Cuyahoga County and then driving at least 100 mph on Interstate 71 until he was apprehended in Delaware County.

The chase began around 1:15 a.m. Sunday when police in Brook Park reported they attempted to pull over 33-year-old George Tiller on Interstate 480 for speed. The North Ridgeville man, who was driving a black 2014 Ford F-150, crashed into a concrete barrier and kept driving, heading south on I-71, according to Trooper Tyler Carr, of the Ohio State Highway Patrol's Mansfield post.

Troopers pursued Tiller through Medina County until he reached the Wayne County line. A short time later, troopers from the Ashland patrol post reported they clocked Tiller travelling at more than 100 mph near U.S. 250 and gave chase to the Ashland-Richland county line.

Near the county line, the Mansfield patrol post deployed stop sticks in an attempt to stop the driver. At least one, possibly two, of Tiller's tires were deflated by the sticks, Carr said. But Tiller kept driving at more than 100 mph until he hit more stop sticks in Morrow County, officials said.

The driver then crashed into a median cable and got out of his truck, fleeing on foot, officials reported. He was apprehended a short time later, around 2:15 a.m. in Delaware County.

Tiller was cited for fleeing and eluding, operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, failure to control and reckless operation.

No injuries were reported at any time during the chase, and Tiller never struck any other vehicles, Carr said, adding that traffic was light at the time of the chase.

Tiller drove in the right and middle lanes during most of the pursuit, only moving into the left lane at the end of the chase, Carr said.

Several agencies were involved in the pursuit, Carr said: Brook Park police, troopers from five posts, the Richland County Sheriff's Office and the Delaware County Sheriff's Office.

ceday@gannett.com

419-521-7220

Twitter: @courtneydaynj