Findlay man fled from police, then was arrested

7/8/2013

FINDLAY - A Findlay man was arrested and accused of leading police on a brief chase that started near the scene of a hit-skip-crash they said he had caused and ended when he crashed his pickup truck and abandoned it, causing it to roll back into a police cruiser, authorities said.

Christopher Peters, 24, was charged with fleeing and eluding police, leaving the scene of an accident, driving under suspension, possession of marijuana drug paraphernalia, and failure to maintain assured clear distance ahead, Findlay police said.  He was booked into the Hancock County jail pending arraignment.

Police said a pickup truck matching the description of the suspect's truck hit another vehicle about 7:55 a.m. at Center Street and North Main Street.

About 10 minutes later, police saw the pickup run a stop sign on West Lima Street at South Cory Street, officers said.

A pursuit ensued, ending on Western Avenue at Joy Avenue, less than a minute later and about a half a mile away when the driver tried to turn left onto Joy and lost control, causing the pickup to strike a utility pole, police said. He then abandoned the vehicle and tried to run away but was arrested while the pickup rolled back into a police car, causing minor damage, officers said.

Police said the suspect had complained of non-visible injuries that did not require medical treatment. No one else was hurt, police said.

Findlay, the seat of Hancock County, is about 45 miles south of Toledo.