Clearcreek Twp. Police Chief John Terrill said he wasn’t going to debate the “national issue,” but added if the driver had pulled over as he was directed, he’d probably be alive today.
“He made a dumb decision,” Terrill said. “That’s unfortunate, but that’s what happened.”
The high-speed pursuit began around midnight when Sgt. Curtis Hensley of the Clearcreek Twp. police department clocked a black, 1994 Honda Civic traveling 84 mph in a 40 mph zone in the 2000 block of Ohio 122, Terrill said.
The driver, McGovern S. Flener, 28, of Monroe, formerly of Hamilton, who had a lengthy driving and criminal record, was ejected after his vehicle wrecked about 10 minutes later in Middletown. He was pronounced dead at the scene and his passenger, Melissa Griffin, 20, of Warren County, was listed in critical condition at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton.
Muterspaw said the decision to use the stop-sticks was made by Lt. Jim Cunningham, the shift supervisor. Muterspaw said it’s the department’s policy to use the sticks as a way to stop vehicles and to “protect our citizens.”
After the officers put out the sticks, they hid behind their cruiser and a utility police, Muterspaw said.
After having at least one of his tires flattened, Flener drove about ¼-mile before he crashed into the median and utility pole at the corner of Grand and Stanley Street. Flener and Griffin were ejected and neither was wearing a seat belt, Terrill said.
Flener was weaving and driving reckless, causing Sgt. Hensley to suspect he was impaired, Terrill said.
Terrill said as Flener drove on Ohio 122 near Hunter, someone in the car threw items out of the car. Terrill said police officials searched the road overnight and Tuesday morning, but were unable to find any evidence. He said Flener refused to pull over after Hensley turned on his lights and sirens. He said the pursuit continued on 122 to Grand Avenue and the crash site.
Beer cans were found at the crash site and a receipt showed that beer was purchased earlier in the evening in Middletown, Terrill said.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash, Muterspaw said.
Flener was driving with a valid license and did not have any warrants, Terrill said.
Terrill said Flener has a lengthy felony criminal record with convictions for permitting drug abuse, possession of drugs, possession of heroin, possession of cocaine and theft.
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