A suspected drunk driver led an Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper on a chase through Lake County ending when the suspect hit the Amvets Post 1971 in the Village of Perry.
According to Troopers, they attempted to make a traffic stop on the driver just after 1 a.m. Wednesday on Route 2 when the man took off in a Chevrolet Trailblazer.
As the driver went south on Main Street in Perry he lost control and slammed into the north side of the Amvest Post 1971, leaving a large hole in the side of the building.
High speed OSP pursuit ends when a suspected drunk driver hits the Amvets building in Village of Perry pic.twitter.com/isMqBTvAIc
— Mike Vielhaber (@MVielhaber) December 30, 2015
After hitting the building the suspect again tried to flee, spinning his tires in the gravel parking lot and sending gravel all over the street. Police from Perry and North Perry were able to assist State Troopers in stopping the man and taking him into custody in the street in front of the Amvets facility.
Inside the Amvets building a couple chairs were knocked over and insulation was scattered over a large area where the SUV punched a hole in the wall.
Significant damage inside the Amvets Post 1971 after chase ends with suspect hitting the building. pic.twitter.com/MjnLBjNZVT
— Mike Vielhaber (@MVielhaber) December 30, 2015
Amvets members told newsnet5.com that the front door was very hard to open and suspected there was some hidden structural damage.
The driver, identified as Anthony J. Hein, 32, of Willowick, was taken to Lake Health Madison Emergency Department by EMS in stable condition with minor injuries. OSHP said Hein was not wearing his seatbelt. After he was released, he was taken to the Lake County Sheriff's Office and put in jail.
Driver that hit the Amvets building was combative when transported to the hospital in stable condition. pic.twitter.com/y5H5DqAfkP
— Mike Vielhaber (@MVielhaber) December 30, 2015
