63°Man jailed after high-speed chase
Dec 05
2011
A driver was arrested after leading troopers on a 20-mile high-speed chase along the Ohio Turnpike and crashing just east of Berlin Heights.
Michael C. Sirak, 57, of Campbell, Ohio, sped past a sergeant from the Milan post of the Ohio State Highway patrol at about 2:20 a.m. Sunday, Sgt. Brian Gockstetter said.
When the trooper tried to initiate a stop in Lorain County, Sirak continued west at speeds reaching 130 mph.
Three other troopers joined the chase and threw down stop sticks, which deflated a tire on the 2011 Toyota Camry he was driving.
Sirak still wouldn’t give up — he drove on only the axle until he lost control and went off the road into a ditch near Berlin Heights, Gockstetter said.
He had no visible injuries, but he complained of neck pain.
His vehicle wasn’t significantly damaged either, which Gockstetter said was surprising.
“I think he had slowed down when he lost control, but prior to that, when he was running on just the rim, he was still above 100 mph,” he said.
A squad took Sirak to Fisher-Titus Medical Center in Norwalk, where he was treated and released.
He was then taken to the Lorain County jail, where he awaits a court hearing today on charges that include reckless operating and fleeing and eluding, a jail spokeswoman said.
Two patrol cars were damaged over the course of the 10-minute chase, Gockstetter said. One sustained flat tires after driving over debris from the crash, and another had a damaged undercarriage after striking a large piece of metal.
Gockstetter said it remains unclear why Sirak fled — he had no warrants for his arrest and did not appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
He’s scheduled for an initial in Elyria Municipal Court.
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02:31 PM
DGMutley says
Legislate-inator,
That's a good question. My answer is never.
In the case above the perp's crime was speeding. The OSP had the perp on tape, they knew his name, they knew his address, they had his crime documented. The reason for the chase was that it is standard operating procedure. As a result the perp crashed and 2 patrol cars were wrecked. What was the end-all, be-all reason that they had to stop this perp at all costs, putting everyone on the highway at risk? There would have been no crash or patrol cars wrecked had they not chased (pushed) this guy down the highway. It's a miracle no one was killed or injured.
How can a police chase for any reason be justified if it risks killing or injuring an innocent bystander?
07:28 PM
Annoying squirrel says
Dgmutley-really? Please tell us when you feel it would be justified.
06:20 PM
DGMutley says
So what was the point in chasing this driver down the road for 20 miles endangering the lives of all the motorists on the highway? Irresponsible.
04:48 PM
snatchblock_445 says
His vehicle wasn’t significantly damaged either, which Gockstetter said was surprising. ????....We recovered the vehicle for the cornfield. wasn't a reuseable body panel on that car...lol