Judge acquits former teacher on charges in police chase

5/13/2008

Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Frederick McDonald ruled on Tuesday that a former Springfield Local Schools teacher who led police on a chase and veered his van towards a trooper during the pursuit was insane at the time of incident.

Louis Kovin, 40, of Waterville, was found not guilty by reason of insanity after a bench trial before Judge McDonald.

He was charged with one count each of felonious assault and failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer.

Mr. Kovin was arrested Nov. 12 in Wood County after leading officers on a chase that ended when a tire on his van was punctured by spikes and crashed into a pond off I-75 near State Rt. 582.

Judge McDonald reached his decision after hearing testimony from four law enforcement officers who were involved in the chase and reviewing psychological evaluations of Mr. Kovin.