News
Sawed-Off Shotgun Thrown From Fleeing Car
By: Kristi Murphy | Circleville Herald
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Three men are in custody after leading Pickaway County Sheriff’s deputies on a chase from the South Bloomfield area to Columbus on Thursday evening.
Ronald E. Nigh, Jr., 35, of Columbus; Tyvis G. Priah, 21, of Cleveland; and Christopher J. Morris, 21, of Columbus, face charges of fleeing and eluding, having weapons under disability and possessing an illegal firearm.
The last two charges are related to a black bag that was tossed from the vehicle during the chase that contained a sawed-off shotgun, according to the sheriff’s office.
Lt. Dale Parish said Nigh has been identified as the driver of the vehicle that was first involved in a minor hit-skip crash at 6:40 p.m. in front of the go-kart tracks on U.S. 23 near the North Court Street intersection.
After Nigh sideswiped another vehicle and did not stop, a deputy tracked him down north of South Bloomfield and attempted a traffic stop at Reeb’s Farm Market; however, Nigh continued north sometimes reaching speeds of 90 mph, Parish said.
As Nigh continued out of the county, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and Columbus Police were notified. Parish said the other agencies helped stop the vehicle in the area of Livingston Avenue and Carpenter Street in Columbus shortly before 7 p.m.
Nigh and his two passengers ran from the vehicle, he said, but all were apprehended by 7:06 p.m.
During the chase, Parish said a black bag containing a sawed-off shotgun and some 9mm ammunition was tossed from the vehicle at Picway Road.
The Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office has towed the vehicle back to headquarters in connection with the hit-skip and plans to obtain a warrant to search the vehicle for more evidence.
Parish added that Nigh has an extensive criminal record with charges for drugs, firearm violations, assaults and fleeing and eluding from Columbus, Dayton and Illinois.
All three men have been transported to the Pickaway County Jail.
The incident remains under investigation.