ASHTABULA, Ohio — A 43-year-old Ashtabula woman died in a rollover crash on Thursday after reportedly leading police officers on a high-speed chase on I-90 East, authorities said.
According to the Ashtabula County Sheriff's Office, the incident began when a deputy observed a female he was familiar with from past incidents while on a routine patrol at the Pilot gas station on Route 45. After the deputy approached the woman, who he was aware had outstanding warrants, the woman allegedly provided the deputy with a false name and did not provide any identification.
After confirming the woman's identity through a BMV photo, the deputy initiated a traffic stop of a vehicle that the woman was a passenger in on the entrance ramp to I-90 East.
The woman proceeded to flee on foot, with a pursuit ensuing. After the deputy caught up to the woman, she allegedly resisted arrest and assaulted him.
Following the brief struggle, authorities say the woman ran back to the vehicle and left eastbound on I-90 at a high rate of speed. The female then allegedly led deputies on a high-speed pursuit, with speeds reaching an excess of 100 mph, until ultimately rolling the vehicle at the Route 11 exit.
The woman was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene despite deputies attempting life-saving measures until medical personnel arrived.
“The deputy followed the department’s policies and procedures and did what he was supposed to,” said Ashtabula County Sheriff William Niemi said in a statement. “This was a tragic incident that could have been avoided.”
An investigation of the crash is being conducted by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.