Motorcyclist pleads guilty to fleeing law enforcement

0

A St. Paris man pleaded guilty to a third degree felony charge Thursday for leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase in late May.

Tye W. Spellman, 23, of 3000 St. Paris-Jackson Road, pleaded guilty to failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer during a plea hearing. Six other charges against Spellman were dismissed and a sentencing hearing is scheduled for Sept. 1.

Spellman was indicted last month following a May 24 incident in which St. Paris police pursued him in the area of Christiansburg-Jackson Road and Old Troy Pike after he committed a traffic violation. Despite being ordered to pull over in the 200 block of South Springfield Street, Spellman allegedly continued south at speeds reaching in excess of 90 mph.

Due to the high rate of speed and concern for public safety, the officer determined that it was too dangerous to continue the pursuit.

At some point afterward, police reported that Spellman lost control of the motorcycle and crashed into a field, but not before hitting a curve sign on the side of the road. Believing the driver could have ditched the motorcycle, the officer continued to check the area and located Spellman, who had several injuries.

Medics were dispatched to the scene and Spellman was transported to Springfield Regional Medical Center before he was taken by CareFlight to Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton, and was released on May 26.

During Thursday’s hearing, Spellman was informed that he faces a potential maximum three-year prison sentence, $10,000 fine and mandatory driver’s license suspension.

By Nick Walton

[email protected]

Nick Walton can be reached at 937-652-1331 Ext. 1777 or on Twitter @UDCWalton.

No posts to display