Questions Remain After High-Speed Chase Leaves Man In Critical Condition

One man remains in critical condition after a high-speed chase Thursday night, but questions still remain over how that person is involved. Police know the suspect behind the wheel is still on the run.

The chase ended on NW 12th St. and Kentucky Ave. This was after several red lights and stop signs were run through city limits.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) Lt. John Vincent says the driver of a red 4-door passenger car reached speeds up to 70 miles per hour. Vincent says they stopped the chase when they found 36-year-old Dion Russell injured on 12th St.

Several neighbors came outside to see the commotion. Vernon Ballengee is a resident on 12th St. He heard a loud thump outside on around 9:45 p.m. when he ran outside to see what happened.

“Oh goodness, he had to be going 40 or 50 miles an hour. That was awfully fast,” said Ballengee referring to the red car.

Ballengee and several neighbors say the car hit a pedestrian.

“I came out on the front porch and I seen him laying down there.”

Ballengee says the victim was lying on the right side of the street by the curb. Police confirm Russell is in critical condition with serious head injuries at OU Medical Center.

3/18/2016 Related Story: Pedestrian Hospitalized After Police Chase Through OKC

OHP arrived at the scene within minutes, but the driver of that red car already fled the scene. Fire trucks and the ambulance arrived to transport Russell.

OHP has listed the incident as an auto-pedestrian crash, but they are still investigating.

“We’re unsure if he was struck by the vehicle, pushed out of the vehicle, or voluntarily jumped out of the vehicle. We’re looking into all areas trying to figure that part out,” said Vincent.

Ballengee says he is praying for Russell’s full recovery and as for the driver, Ballengee said, “I hope they find him, whoever did that.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact OHP at (405) 425-2323.