Suspect in police chase crashes, lands on top of officer’s cruiser

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ohio (WXIX/Gray News) - An Ohio police officer was hospitalized after a suspect officers were chasing crashed, landing his car on top of a cruiser.

Three Ohio police agencies held a press conference Wednesday to show the video of the crash in Montgomery County, WXIX reports.

Trotwood Police said they got a call Monday about a man who allegedly hit a woman with his truck. When officers found the truck, police say the driver, 54-year-old James Skirvin, pointed a long gun out of the window.

From there, several police agencies jumped in to try and stop the suspect.

“We know that we heard from officers that he was pointing the long guns at them,” said Dayton Police Chief Kamran Afzal. “Whether he discharged a round or not, I don’t know.”

Afzal said Skirvin drove up and down State Route 35, and officers were able to hit his tires with stop sticks.

Police said they received a call that the driver may be trying to commit suicide by police. Shortly after, the suspect crashed. His truck landed on a police cruiser, injuring a Trotwood officer.

“Our officer’s injuries are non-life-threatening at this time, but nobody is promised tomorrow,” said Trotwood Police Chief Erik Wilson. “He’s in stable condition, and we’re hoping for a speedy recovery. That’s all we’re going to give at this time.”

Wilson appeared uneasy during the press conference as he rewatched the crash.

“I work with these guys day in and day out, so they become family. So, it’s no different than if that was one of my family members, watching something like that happen,” he said.

The suspect was also hospitalized after the crash.

Dayton Police said Skirvin does not have a criminal history in Dayton, but he also doesn’t live there. They said he is from Florida and travels to the area for work.

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