OTTAWA — A man accused of being the driver who led Ottawa police and Franklin County deputies on a wild chase through Ottawa streets and backyards, along the Prairie Spirit Trail, and county roads and farm fields two years ago has agreed to a plea deal. Anthony West waived further hearings and has pleaded guilty to a felony charge of fleeing and eluding officers. Several other charges were dropped. After a police officer tried to pull over West concerning a stolen vehicle report in June 2012, he took off and blasted down quiet city streets at a high rate of speed and with his lights off. The officer later ended the chase. The driver was later spotted by a deputy who chased him into the county. The driver went across a farm field and later returned into the city, where he drove down the Prairie Spirit Trail, hit a utility pole, drove across Kanza Park and hit the back of a house. The driver stole a pickup at the house and drove through yards in his successful attempt to escape.
Tuesday, Sept. 23, 8 a.m.
