Piqua man arrested after leading police on chase in reverse

A Piqua man is in jail after leading police on a chase this week while driving in reverse.

A Piqua police officer was parked in the parking lot at Pitsnebarger Park on South Street just after midnight on Wednesday when they saw a 2011 white Chevrolet Impala driving in reverse, according to a incident report.

When the officer tried to pull the car over for a traffic stop, the driver, later identified as 63-year-old Christopher Morrison, kept going and did not slow down. The officer noted in the report that speeds reached 54 mph during the cash.

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During the chase, Morrison ran a stop sign at S. Sunset Drive, according to the report. He then turn from South Street onto Candlewood Boulevard while still driving in reverse. While turning, Morrison almost hit a trailer and a parked vehicle.

The chase ended when Morrison drove into the front yard of a home on Candlewood Boulevard and hit a tree. Cruiser camera video shows the car go airborne as it rotates 180 degrees after hitting the tree.

Morrison then got of his car and ran from police. He was caught by police and placed under arrest.

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Police said Morrison suffered a minor head injury and refused treatment.

Morrison is booked in the Miami County Jail and charged with OVI, operating without a valid license, stop sign violation, failure to control, reckless operation, failure to comply and resisting arrest.

Police said additional charges may be presented pending on test results of suspected drugs recovered from Morrison.