Second suspect dies after standoff in stolen semi ends near Dayton

Aug 04, 2023

Both of the suspects involved in what police said was an hourslong hostage situation in a stolen semitractor-trailer Wednesday morning near Dayton International Airport were killed after reportedly firing at law enforcement.

Ohio State Highway Patrol Lt. Nathan Dennis said Wednesday morning that around 7:30 a.m., troopers approached the tractor-trailer cab, which did not have a trailer attached, to try and get the truck driver, who was being held hostage, out safely.

During that attempt, one of the suspects fired several shots from a handgun at troopers, Dennis said. Troopers returned fire, hitting both a male and female suspect. Both suspects were taken to Miami Valley Hospital in critical condition.

The woman died at the hospital from her injuries, and the male was hospitalized in critical condition, Dennis said. Around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, the patrol said the man also died from his injuries.

The victim had minor injuries as well, but it was not immediately known if those resulted from the shooting. The victim was also taken to the hospital for treatment.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation has been asked to investigate the shooting. As of Wednesday afternoon, the names of those involved were not yet released.

The situation began around 1 a.m. Wednesday, when police in London in Madison County, west of Columbus, tried to pull over a van for not having taillights or the proper registration. The van, with a man and woman inside, drove away from officers on U.S. 42.

The van ultimately stopped at a gas station at the TA Travel Center on U.S. 42. Police saw the man and woman get out of the van, which prompted a short chase, during which an officer unsuccessfully tried to use a stun gun.

The male suspect reportedly pointed a firearm at the officer but did not fire it, London police said. Officers found a live round at the scene, indicating the weapon was loaded.

The man and woman then got into an unlocked tractor-trailer cab at the travel center, which is often used by semi drivers as a rest and refueling point. A man and woman were initially believed inside the tractor-trailer, which did not have a trailer attached at the time. It was later determined that only the truck's driver was inside when it was stolen.

The suspects then drove the truck out of the travel center, hitting a London police cruiser. No officers were injured.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol and other agencies chased the tractor-trailer across Clark, Greene and Montgomery counties. The pursuit ended in Vandalia on Interstate 70 west, near the Dayton International Airport Access Road.

Law enforcement officers negotiated for about four hours with the suspects to end the standoff peacefully before deciding to approach the tractor-trailer.

The ramps from I-70 to the Dayton airport were closed in both directions through the early afternoon while the investigation was ongoing.

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@bethany_bruner