Police ID man killed during pursuit

LIMA, Ohio -- Police Monday identified Steven Bailey, 41, of Alger, Ohio, as the driver killed when he slammed into a parked pickup Sunday during a police chase.

Mr. Bailey was driving a stolen 1993 Ford Ranger when a Lima police officer pulled him over because he had only one headlight on, said Sgt. Paula Strickler.

The car was reported stolen earlier that weekend in nearby Auglaize County.

Police are unsure whether Mr. Bailey had stolen the car, the sergeant said.

During the traffic stop at about 2:55 a.m., he suddenly drove off when the officer stopped to talk to him.

He was traveling an estimated 65 mph when he crashed into the parked truck on the 700 block of Greenlawn Avenue, according to the police report. He died at the scene of the crash.

The officer, who followed Mr. Bailey in his car, had stopped at a cross street and "was quite a distance behind him when it happened," Sergeant Strickler said.

Mr. Bailey's passenger, Vicki Pummel, 54, of Alger, Ohio, was also injured in the crash, but the sergeant could not provide a any information on the status of her injuries, and hospital information was also unavailable.