CHASE ENDS IN CRASH

DRIVER TO FACE FELONY CHARGES

Sheffield Township – A Lorain man is in jail facing multiple felony charges after he fled from an Ohio State Trooper early Saturday morning.

Trooper J.P. Toth of the Ohio State Highway Patrol said that while on patrol in Sheffield Township he observed a mini van make a wide turn from 254 onto West River Road. Toth said that during the turn the van went off the road near the car lot and almost struck vehicles. Toth made an attempt to stop the van but the driver fled south on West River into Elyria.

Toth said that the van, driven by 44-year-old William Kallas of Lorain, went off the right side of the road again and this time struck a female pedestrian.

Kallas continued south on West River after striking the woman and made a left turn onto Route 57. Kallas made another right turn onto 57 going north towards Lorain. By this time Officers from Elyria and the Sheriff’s Department have joined in the pursuit.

As Kallas was making his way north on 57 Deputy Perkins and Trooper AJ Torres were laying out Spike Strips on 57 at the intersection of Route 254. When Kallas began approaching the intersection he found stopped traffic in all but one lane, the left turning lane. What he didn’t see was the pointy metal spikes waiting on the road for his tires. As he made his way through the intersection the spikes hit all 4 tires deflating each.

Now heading west on North Ridge Road through Elyria Township Kallas was riding on just rims throwing pieces of shredded tire all over the roadway. He also had the Spike Strip tangled up under his van so spike pieces were also being thrown about.

Once into the Sheffield Township area Kallas could no longer control the van and went off the left side of the road and crashed into a mailbox.

Sheffield Township Firefighters were called to the scene to check on Kallas’ injuries. According to Chief Joe Bandagski Kallas refused any medical treatment or transport to the hospital. “Although he has some cuts on his head and blood on his face, he was able to answer all of our questions appropriately so we accepted his refusal of treatment.”

During the pursuit Officers from Elyria found the female that Kallas had struck on West River near the Golden Corral. LifeCare Paramedics treated the woman for injuries to her shoulder and then transported her to Elyria Memorial hospital.

Also during the final moments of the pursuit, a Troopers car hit one of the spikes that was came out from under Kallas’ van. A rear tire suffered the blow and had to be changed at the scene. Troopers were grateful to Rich’s Towing for changing the tire before towing the van.

Troopers say that this is not the first time Kallas has fled from Troopers. In February of 2008 Kallas refused to stop for Trooper Jackson, also in the area of the Midway Mall. During that pursuit Kallas led Troopers into Lorain where he pulled into his driveway on Oakdale Ave. Court records show that Kallas was fined $500.00, which was suspended, and had to pay court costs and do community service. It was also ordered that he obey all laws for 2 years.

Trooper Toth said that Kallas was charged with the following:
Felony Fleeing / Eluding, Felony Hit Skip, Aggravated Vehicular Assault (Felony), OVI, Speeding, Seatbelt, and Stop Sign.


PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by TMC & BRIAN WOODS