Pursuit ends with fatal crash in Darke County

A high-speed police pursuit in Darke County ended in a fatal crash just before 8:30 p.m. Monday on State Route 47 near Union City.

According to police scanner traffic, speeds reached up to 120 mph before the vehicle crashed and rolled near the intersection of State Route 47 and Ansonia-Hunchbarger Road.

Scanner traffic indicates the vehicle was being pursued by a deputy with the Darke County Sheriff's Office for a traffic violation. The pursuit was reportedly about to be called off because of excessive speeds when the crash occurred.

One person was pronounced dead at the scene. Two medical helicopters were dispatched for additional victims, according to scanner traffic.

This is a developing story. More information will be released as it becomes available.

Information for this report was provided by Tony Heitmeyer.

PRESS RELEASE 

On February 16, 2026 at approximately 8:15PM a Darke County Deputy in a marked patrol vehicle was traveling east on State Route 47 near Detling Rd. when he observed a west bound SUV traveling at 79 mph in a 55 mph zone coming out of the Village of Ansonia. The Deputy turned his cruiser west bound on State Route 47 and attempted to catch up to the SUV. The deputy paced the vehicle at 100 mph and activated his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop. The SUV accelerated away from the deputy as the deputy attempted to catch up with the vehicle. The deputy pursued the SUV for approximately 5 miles with speeds reaching 124 mph before the SUV crashed into an east bound vehicle on a curve at State Route 47 and Ansonia Hunchbarger Rd. 

The deputy immediately notified dispatch of the crash and checked for injuries. The female driver of the eastbound vehicle was found to be conscious and alert with injuries. A female passenger from the fleeing SUV was ejected and found to be deceased. The deputy detained the adult male driver of the SUV as he exited the crashed vehicle.

Union City Fire and Rescue arrived and treated both drivers. The male driver of the fleeing SUV was transported by Careflight to Miami Valley Hospital. The female driver of the other vehicle was transported by Union City to Reid Hospital in Richmond, IN. Union City Police also responded and assisted with the crash.

The pursuit lasted less than three minutes from the time it was initiated until the crash. 

The Ohio State Highway Patrol responded to investigate the traffic crash and will present any charges associated with the crash to the Darke County Prosecutor. 

The Darke County Sheriff’s Office is investigating any crimes involving the fleeing and eluding a deputy sheriff. This incident remains under investigation and will be forwarded to the Darke County Prosecutor for review.

Mark Whittaker

Darke County Sheriff

937-548-3399