Two arrested after pursuit ends

CABELL COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A sheriff’s deputy was taken to the hospital after crashing into another deputy during a pursuit late Friday night, according to Cabell County Sheriff Chuck Zerkle.

Deputies said the pursuit started after a person stole items from the Walmart and then took off along Route 60 West leading deputies on a pursuit.

Deputies say the driver failed to yield and ran red lights.

“He jumped into a 1997 grey Ford Ranger and then fled the scene,” Cabell County Chief Deputy Doug Adams said. “Our deputy initiated his lights and tried to stop him. He refused to stop and started driving recklessly doing over 80 in a 45-mile-an-hour zone, running red lights.”

The pursuit ended when the suspect’s vehicle ran out of gas. Deputies say the suspect got out of the vehicle and ran away, but was captured by a member of the Huntington Police Department.

The suspect has been identified as John Cronin from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Deputies say a passenger in that suspect vehicle also attempted to run away. That passenger has been identified as Katie McGowan of Franklin Furnace, Ohio.

Both suspects have been lodged in the Western Regional Jail awaiting arraignment.

During the chase, the sheriff says two cruisers collided with each other in the area of Alternate Route 10 and Route 60.

“They’re doing good,” Adams said. “They sustained minor injuries. One was kept for observation overnight, but is expected to be released this morning.”

Both suspects are facing multiple charges with the most significant being Cronin’s felony charge of fleeing with reckless indifference.

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