MARION, Ohio — The Marion Police Department shared video from an officer’s body worn camera showing a pursuit between the officer and a suspect fleeing an alleged domestic assault over the weekend.
The pursuit began when officers got a call that 22-year-old Zachary Harter had allegedly assaulted a pregnant woman.
The officer began to follow Harter, who he said was driving at a high rate of speed. Within just over 30 seconds, the officer ended the pursuit when he said Harter began driving on the wrong side of the road.
A few seconds after the pursuit ended, the officer reported Harter had crashed into a pole and a tree.
Officers did not know at the time that Harter had a small child in the backseat, who was quickly rescued by firefighters and taken to the hospital.
Four others were hospitalized including the pregnant woman involved in the initial assault and three others, who were in a vehicle apparently hit by Harter at some point during the pursuit.
Police Chief Jay McDonald said the entire incident could have been prevented.
“Obviously if we could have stopped this whole scenario before it started that would have been our ultimate goal,” he said. “The actions of the suspect drove the scenario where officers had to pursue him because of the very violent felonious behavior he was engaged in before the officers arrived, and then the actions of the suspect drove the officer to terminate the pursuit, so our officers they did as they were trained in this scenario.”
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash and the pursuit, while Marion police continue to investigate the events that led up to it.
Police encourage victims of domestic violence to seek help through law enforcement or other agencies.
“We have a close relationship with the domestic violence shelter in town called Turning Point and we work closely with victims advocates who help victims maneuver the legal system so there are resources out there, everything from family and friends providing support to law enforcement that could help people in the midst of domestic violence escape that situation,” McDonald said.
Other resources for domestic violence victims:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800.799.SAFE (7233)
- CHOICES: 614-224-4663
- BRAVO serving LGBTQI: 866-862-7286
- DeafPhoenix: 614-450-1262
- OhioHealth: 614-840-9934
- The Center for Family Safety and Healing: 614-722-8293
If you cannot find a program that meets your needs, please contact ODVN at 1-800-934-9840 or 614-781-9651.