Findlay motorcyclist faces numerous charges from high speed chase

7/20/2013

A Findlay motorcyclist was arraigned Thursday in Perrysburg Municipal Court on a handful of charges after he allegedly led police on a chase that reached speeds of 140 mph.

Brandon Navarro, 30, was arrested after the chase, which began around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday on I-75 near the I-475 junction in Perrysburg and continued for more than 35 miles into northeastern Hancock County.

An Ohio Highway Patrol trooper noticed a southbound motorcycle with no license plate or tail light on the freeway, said Lt. Jerrod Savidge, commander of the patrol's Bowling Green post. The motorcyclist, who had a passenger aboard, refused to pull over, initiating the chase, the lieutenant said.

The chase continued to the Van Buren exit on State Rt. 613 interchange near Van Buren, Ohio, and ended on Hancock County Road 257 in Washington Township, near Fostoria, when the bike fell over as its driver tried to turn at slow speed.

The defendant began to run, fell, tried to get back up, and was stopped by the trooper’s use of a Taser, Lieutenant Savidge said.

The motorcyclist and the trooper were not injured, but the passenger, Kimberly Shellhorn of Sycamore, Ohio, was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital in Findlay for treatment of minor injuries, according to the report.

Lieutenant Savidge said Mr. Navarro’s license was invalid and he lacked a motorcycle endorsement. He faces various charges including felonious assault, failure to comply with a police officer, driving under suspension, and speeding.

Mr. Navarro was held Thursday in the Wood County jail in lieu of $74,330 bond. He is scheduled to return to Perrysburg Municipal Court next Thursday.

Contact Vanessa McCray at: vmccray@theblade.com, or 419-724-6065, or on Twitter @vanmccray.