MAN JUMPS IN LAKE AFTER CHASE

Lorain – A chase that began in Elyria after a man ran his truck into a church ended with him crashing his truck in Lorain and him running into Lake Erie.

Justin T. McCallihan, 24 of Amherst, lead Elyria Police on a short chase after striking a church at the corner of Lake Ave and Lowell Street and then fleeing the scene. Due to McCallihan’s high speed and reckless driving Elyria called off their pursuit. Deputies from the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office spotted gauge marks on Baumhart going northbound and began following the trail towards Lorain.

While searching for McCallihan Lorain Police received word of a truck that had crashed on Baumhart near the Ford Plant and a white male was seen running from the crash.

Deputies along with Officers from Amherst and Lorain searched the area and found McCallihan running towards the lake. At one point he was tasered but fell down a hill and pulled the darts out and kept running.

Officers heard a loud splash and then spotted McCallihan in the water. They called for the Lorain Coast Guard to respond to help get the man out of the water. While waiting they watched as the man attempted to swim further away from them. He was eventually talked back in by Officers on shore.

The man was treated on scene by LifeCare Paramedics and transported to Community Health Partners Emergency Room.

Photos by BRIAN WOODS