1 dead in crash after cop chase

CELINA - A Celina man died early Saturday morning when his car crashed into a house shortly after a brief chase with the Celina Police Department.

Chad R. Rammel, 33, Celina, died after his car drove off the right side of the roadway near 4001 Mud Pike Road slightly after 4 a.m. Saturday, according to a news release from the Wapakoneta Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Rammel's vehicle struck a fence, a tree and a house before overturning and striking a Ford SUV in the driveway, according to the release. The vehicle came to rest on its top, and Rammel was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the release. A trooper with the Wapakoneta Post on Sunday night said a hole was left in one of the walls of the home.

Shortly before the crash, officers from the Celina Police Department at 4:08 a.m. observed Rammel run a stop sign while headed southbound on Brandon Avenue, according to a news release from the department.

The car was swerving in the roadway and eventually turned on Market Street, where officers signaled with their emergency lights for the car to pull over. The car continued westbound when officers activated their sirens, the release reads.

The car, later found to be driven by Rammel, sped off at speeds over 95 mph. Officers discontinued all efforts to stop the car in compliance with department policy, according to the release.

Rammel was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, according to the OSHP release. The trooper on Sunday night said alcohol use is under consideration, but noted the crash remains under investigation.

Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Mercer County Sheriff's Office, Celina Fire Department and EMS, Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Mercer County Coroner's Office and Nelson's Towing.