Suspect's girlfriend said he saw red light, car prior to crash, Troy police say

Kristen Spicker and Eileen McClory, Dayton Daily News, Ohio
·2 min read

Apr. 1—The girlfriend of a suspect involved in a police chase that ended in a deadly crash in Bethel Twp. Monday reportedly told police he saw there was a red light and saw the other vehicle coming and didn't avoid it.

Police said Tashaya Tipton said Jalen Alexander told her, "If I'm going, you're coming with me."

The chase lasted seven-and-a-half minutes and reached speeds up to 120 miles per hour before ending in a crash at state route 202 and U.S. 40.

"It's not a lot of time but it felt like forever," Troy Police Chief Shawn McKinney said.

Police felt the warrants out for Alexander and belief that he had a handgun posed a threat to the community. Alexander had a gun during a previous incident in Piqua, however, no gun or contraband was found in his vehicle following the crash Monday.

McKinney said the officer involved acted in accordance of the department's police at the time.

A Jeep driven by Alexander hit a Volkswagen driven by Chelsey R. Vollmer, 32. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Vollmer's toddler and Tipton were transported to area hospitals.

McKinney expressed his condolences for the families.

The incident started around 8 a.m. after Troy police in the area of Stonyridge Avenue and Imperial Court were looking Alexander, who was wanted for felonious assault and child abuse/endangering.

An officer spotted a vehicle believed to belong to Alexander and attempted to stop it. Instead, Alexander fled, resulting in a police chase. In police radio traffic obtained by the Dayton Daily News, the officer involved in the chase can be heard saying he was backing off multiple times.

Dash camera played during the press conference showed police pursue Alexander down state Route 202.

This was the fourth pursuit for Troy police this year. In 2020, the department had 12 chases, six of which were terminated.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. It's not clear when more information will be released.

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