A Werner Enterprises truck driver was held hostage for several hours in Vandalia, Ohio, according to a statement from the company. The driver, whose identity has not been disclosed due to privacy concerns, was injured during the ordeal. The company is now focusing on ensuring the driver receives the necessary medical care and treatment.
The incident began in the early morning hours on Wednesday when the driver of the truck was carjacked by two suspects in Madison County. The suspects then took over the truck and led law enforcement on a chase through multiple counties, ending near Dayton International Airport. The driver was held hostage inside the semi-truck during this time.
The London police initially attempted to stop the suspects’ in their vehicle around 1 a.m. However, the suspects fled the scene, leading to a pursuit that ended at a truck stop outside of London. The suspects then exited their vehicle and attempted to escape on foot. When an officer tried to use a taser on them, one of the suspects brandished a firearm and was able to continue fleeing.
The suspects then commandeered a Werner Enterprises semi-truck, with the driver still inside, and fled the scene. The chase continued through Clark, Greene, Madison, and Montgomery counties, finally coming to a halt near Dayton International Airport.
Negotiations with the suspects began, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Special Response Team (SRT) was called to the scene. Around 7:30 a.m., approximately four hours later, SRT members approached the semi to rescue the hostage. At this point, the suspects opened fire on the SRT members, who returned fire, hitting both suspects.
The driver was safely extracted from the semi, suffering minor injuries. Both suspects were transported to Miami Valley Hospital, where they later succumbed to their injuries. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations has been requested to investigate the shooting.