Cruiser Destroyed in High-Speed Pursuit

A Barnesville police cruiser was totaled by fire after it was deliberately hit head on by a suspect vehicle Tuesday night.

(Barnesville PD photo)

Late Tuesday night, according to a release by the Barnesville Police Department, officers “observed a vehicle driving recklessly and traveling at a high rate of speed on Bond Ave/SR 800” at approximately 10:30 pm.

Officers initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle on SR 800 north of Barnesville. After the driver failed to stop a high-speed pursuit ensued.

(Barnesville PD photo)

Officers chased the driver north on Route 800 into Hendrysburg then onto North Road through the Egypt Valley Wildlife Area. The alluding driver rejoined Route 800 at Sewellsville traveling north to US 22, then across the Piedmont Lake Dam, then on to Harrison and Belmont counties roads on Belmont Ridge.

Suddenly,” the suspect vehicle turned in the roadway and began traveling towards the pursuing patrol vehicle” crashing into the cruiser head on.

Two occupants exited the suspect vehicle as they attempted to flee the scene at which time Barnesville Sergeant Kubat deployed K9 Croc apprehending one of the suspects, while the other, believed to be the driver, fled into a wooded area.  

(Freeport VFD photos)

The Barnesville patrol vehicle involved in the crash caught fire and was destroyed in an ensuing blaze that was extinguished by several responding departments including Freeport and Holloway.   

Belmont County Sheriff’s Office, Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, and St. Clairsville Police Department personnel assisted in the pursuit and search for the other suspect.

St. Clairsville deployed a drone but was unable to locate the suspect. The Ohio State Highway Patrol added aerial assistance locating the suspect in a nearby wooded area.

                                    Corey Hackathorn                                                     

         Patrick Mazik

(Belmont County Sheriff Department photos)

The suspects identified as Patrick Mazik, 37, of Belmont, and Corey Hackathorn, 40, of Martins Ferry were treated at Harrison Community Hospital and transported to Belmont County Jail where they were charged with multiple felony offenses.

Official charges will come from the Belmont County Prosecutor’s Office, Barnesville Police Chief Rocky Sirianni said. No officers, including K9 Croc were injured during the pursuit and accident.