“The officer did not pursue at that time due to the reckless manner in which the suspect was operating the vehicle and the significant risk it posed to public safety,” police said.
The police officer later found the vehicle in the 500 block of South Isabella Street and attempted to stop the driver again, according to police.
Police said the suspect ran from the officer, and after a brief foot pursuit, the officer used a department-issued taser, which injured the suspect.
Body camera footage released Wednesday evening shows an officer chasing the suspect on foot when they fire the taser.
The suspect can be seen going stiff and falling immediately to the ground with his arms at his sides. Blood can be seen pooling under his face.
Officers in later footage said that he was bleeding from his nose and his mouth, and was going in and out of consciousness.
The suspect was transported to Springfield Regional Medical Center and later flown by medical helicopter to Miami Valley Hospital for further treatment.
Police said Wednesday that he remains in the hospital in critical condition.
The officer involved was placed on leave pending a review of the incident, officials said.
“The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) was contacted and responded to investigate the incident and process the scene,” police said. “In accordance with standard procedure, the officer involved has been placed on paid administrative leave while an internal review of the incident is conducted.”
In a statement released with the body camera footage, Police Chief Allison Elliott said, “We recognize that incidents like this are stressful for everyone involved. We remain committed to accountability and transparency in all that we do, and we are fully cooperating with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s independent investigation while also conducting our own internal review.”
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