Semi Driver Shot and Killed After Ignoring Orders to Stop Vehicle

A semi truck driver is dead following an incident that started in Spencerville Tuesday morning.

According to a release from the Allen County Sheriff’s Office, the Spencerville Police Department attempted to stop an individual driving the semi as it was leaving the village.

The operator refused to stop and a pursuit was initiated. 

Multiple agencies, including the Allen County Sheriff’s Office, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office, joined the pursuit in an effort to aid the Spencerville Police Officer. 

The operator fled throughout Allen County and eventually entered U.S. 30 westbound near Delphos. 

During the course of the pursuit, multiple attempts were made to stop the operator, via negotiators over the phone, stop sticks, shooting remaining tires, and vehicle maneuvers. 

The driver refused all orders to stop and made multiple and repeated threats to kill people. 

While fleeing on U.S. 30 westbound, the operator drove into the eastbound lanes of travel and continued to travel west against oncoming traffic. 

At that time, pursuing officers determined the operator and semi were an imminent threat to the safety of citizens and made the determination to neutralize the threat by firing on the operator. 

The operator was struck by gunfire and the semi eventually came to a complete stop in the eastbound lanes of travel at approximately 10:04 AM near the intersection of U.S. 30 and Feasby Wisener Rd. in Van Wert County, Ohio. 

The number of officers, and rounds fired upon the suspect, is unknown at this time. 

The investigation is being handled by the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigations. 

The suspect, whose name is not being released at this time, died at the scene. He was a 46 year-old white male and a resident of Allen County.