Driver in Stolen Car Leads Deputies on High Speed Pursuit Before Crashing into a Tree

Greenville- On November 27, 2014 at 6:24 p.m. Darke County 911 received a call from a subject reporting that his vehicle was just stolen in Union City, IN and that the vehicle was eastbound on SR571 from Union City.  Darke County Deputies responded to the area to attempt to locate the vehicle.  The vehicle was reported as being a black Kia with an Indiana registration.  Darke County Deputies located the vehicle driving eastbound on SR571 coming in to the city limits of Greenville.  Darke County Deputies followed the vehicle until it was confirmed by the Randolph County Indiana Sheriff's Office that the vehicle was stolen and a request was made to stop and hold the vehicle.  Darke County Deputies initiated a traffic stop on the stolen vehicle on Sycamore St at W Main St. in Greenville.  The vehicle initially complied to the order to stop,but then fled from deputies westbound on W. Main St.  The pursuit of the vehicle went south on Chestnut St and continued southbound on SR121.  The stolen vehicle continued south on SR121 to New Madison where the stolen vehicle slowed down and a passenger, Heather Kinnison (23) of Union City,Ohio bailed out of the vehicle.  The stolen vehicle continued southbound through New Madison.  

When the stolen vehicle negotiated a curve in Braffetsville, the suspect lost control of the vehicle and spun out, but gained control of the vehicle and headed back north on SR121 and then turned east on SR722.  The suspect continued east on SR722 to Preble Co. Butler Twshp Rd where the suspect went off the right side of the road and struck a tree.  

New Madison Fire and Tri-Village rescue were immediately dispatched to the scene.  The suspect, Justin Lithgow (30) of Union City, IN, was treated at the scene by Tri-Village and was transported to Miami Valley Hospital by Life Flight where he is listed in stable condition.  Speeds during the pursuit reached 100-110 MPH.  Miami CountySheriff's Office accident reconstruction team was requested to the scene to investigate the accident.  

The case remains under investigation by the Miami County Sheriff's Office and the Darke County Sheriff's Office.  

Charges are being filed against Lithgow for Receiving Stolen Property and further charges will be pending the investigation.