Deputy Michelle Thomas was reportedly driving her cruiser southbound on South Market (Route 93) at approximately 10:52 p.m. when her vehicle collided with a 1995 Chevy S 10 truck driven by Daniel Miracle, 24, of McArthur. Thomas was responding to a call of shots fired at Lake Rupert, according to a press release from the Vinton County Sheriff’s Office.
Miracle was also heading southbound and attempting to turn left onto South Street when the crash occurred, according to a Ohio State Highway Patrol crash report.
Vinton County Sheriff Shawn Justice requested the state patrol investigate the crash.
“This is normal practice and currently part of the Vinton County Sheriff’s Office Policy and Procedures to have crashes of this nature handled by an outside agency,” Justice said in the press release.
The state patrol report states Thomas had her lights on and was attempting to pass Miracle’s truck on the left side of the road. It is unclear if the cruiser’s sirens were also activated. Photographs from the scene show the cruiser overturned as a result of the crash.
Thomas reportedly suffered incapacitating injuries and was taken to Holzer Medical Center in Jackson. Miracle was not injured in the crash.
Lt. Mark Thompson with the Ohio State Highway Patrol said the crash remains under investigation. It has not been determined if any charges will be filed, Thompson added.
According to Justice, investigators do not suspect drug or alcohol abuse to be a factor in the crash.