Police officer killed in Bluffton; ensuing chase ends in Elyria (VIDEO)

A man was taken into custody after a crash on Route 57 in Elyria on Thursday morning, ending a multicounty chase that included the death of a police officer in northwest Ohio. A Toyota Prius went off the right side of Route 57 south opposite the Chestnut Commons shopping center about 8:20 a.m. Thursday. One person was taken into custody by the State Highway Patrol, but a host of other law enforcement agencies were on the scene as well. The man, who has not been identified by police, is one of three believed to have been involved in the pursuit that started in northwest Ohio. At a news conference at the Hancock County Sheriff's Office in Findlay on Thursday morning, Trooper Brice Nihiser of the State Highway Patrol said a black Infiniti sedan was speeding on U.S. Route 23 in Marion County about 2 a.m. Thursday. Troopers were unable to catch up to the vehicle, which was then spotted in Hancock County around 2:15 a.m., getting onto Interstate 75 south. Three people were in it at the time, Nihiser said, and a chase ensued. About 2:30 a.m., Bluffton police Officer Dominic Francis was laying out stop sticks near exit 145 for state Route 235 when he was struck by the car, Nihiser said. Francis, 42, later died of his injuries, the first line-of-duty death of a Bluffton police officer since 1929, according to the Officer Down Memorial Project. Fighting back tears, Bluffton police Chief Ryan Burkholder described Francis' devotion to the community, not just as a police officer but also as a teacher, coach and bus driver for the Cory-Rawson School District. "The community lost a hero," Burkholder said. "He was an outstanding police officer. His heart was big." Francis had been with Bluffton police for nine years, Burkholder said, three as a part-time officer and six as a full-time one. He had been named officer of the year for the department in 2018. As news spread of Francis' death, local law enforcement agencies and state officials offered their condolences to Francis' family and the Bluffton police. Gov. Mike DeWine ordered flags lowered to half-staff at public buildings in Columbus as well as Allen and Hancock counties. The Infiniti was abandoned, and a Toyota Prius was stolen from a home on County Road 29 in Hancock County, Nihiser said. One person was arrested near the site of the theft. A state trooper from the Medina post saw the Prius on Interstate 71 near the interchange with I-76 and U.S. Route 224. Police from multiple agencies pursued the vehicle, with speeds exceeding 100 mph during the pursuit and reaching 120 to 130 mph, Nihiser said. The chase went into Summit and Cuyahoga counties before entering Lorain County on state Route 82. There appeared to be several other crashes related to the pursuit. The car went to Grafton and turned onto Route 57 before crashing in Elyria. Damage on the car was consistent with a pursuit intervention technique (PIT) maneuver to take a suspect's vehicle off the road. The third man believed to have been in the first vehicle was arrested Thursday afternoon, troopers said. Reaction from local law enforcement agencies and state officials came quickly. Michelle M. Baeppler, acting U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, called Francis' death a profound loss. "The death of Bluffton police officer Dominic Francis, who bravely served his community and neighbors, is a profound loss for the law enforcement community and all those who knew him. The Justice Department offers our most heartfelt condolences to Officer Francis' family and colleagues as we all mourn this tragedy," Baeppler said. Gov. Mike DeWine ordered all U.S. and Ohio flags to half-staff in public buildings and grounds throughout Allen and Hancock counties in addition to the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Rife Center and the Rhodes State Office Tower until sunset on the day of Francis' funeral. "Fran (DeWine) and I are sad to learn of the death of Bluffton police officer Dominic Francis, who tragically died today after being hit by a fleeing driver. We are grateful to him for his selfless service to Ohio, and our hearts go out to his family and his colleagues at the Bluffton PD," DeWine wrote in a statement. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost called Francis a hero. "A hero has died and a community is shaken. The bravery of the men and women that wear the badge is astounding. Officer Francis' valor will live on and never be forgotten," Yost said. "My deepest condolences are with Officer Francis' loved ones and the residents of Bluffton." Contact Vince Guerrieri at (440) 329-7124 or vguerrieri@chroniclet.com. Follow him on Twitter @vinceguerrieri.