Officer injured during chase

A Jay County Sheriff’s Office deputy was injured and an Ohio man is facing felony charges following a Wednesday police pursuit.
Deputy Matthew Simmons sustained minor injuries when a 2001 Honda ULX involved in a police pursuit in Portland collided with the 2014 Dodge Charger he was driving. Kyler Lawrence, 19, was arrested following the chase and is facing preliminary charges of resisting an officer, a Level 6 felony.
Lawrence, 5567 Ross Road, Rockford, Ohio, allegedly refused to stop for a Portland police officer, leading to the chase. According to a police report, Lawrence was driving the Honda on Grand Street when he turned east on West Walnut Street and lost control of the vehicle, which collided with the Dodge Charger.
The pursuit began near Jay County High School when the Portland officer allegedly saw Lawrence driving and knew a warrant was out for his arrest.
The warrant was issued out of Adams County for a probation violation.  
The officer said he turned on his emergency lights to attempt to stop Lawrence, who then pulled into the Jay County High School parking lot.
Lawrence allegedly then left the parking lot, and the pursuit continued into Portland before it ended at Grand and Walnut streets.
According to an investigator, top speeds in the chase reached 50 mph.
After crashing the vehicle he was driving, Lawrence allegedly attempted to flea on foot before being apprehended.
The accident occurred at 3:13 p.m., and damage was estimated to be between $2,500 and $5,000.
Lawrence was booked at 5:57 p.m. into Jay County Jail, where he remains under a $3,000 bond.
The Honda that Lawrence was driving is registered to Emily Devoe and Jeffery Scott, 929 W. Water St., Portland.
The Charger, which is a sheriff’s office vehicle, is registered to Jay County Commissioners, 120 N. Court St., Portland.
An investigation of the pursuit is ongoing.