Your News Now at Six:Â A Van Wert special grand jury has returned a decision that police involved in a fatal semi chase were not going to be charged.
The grand jury heard testimony about the high speed chase involving Terry Pierce Jr. They decided no charges would be filed against four Allen County deputies who were part of the SWAT team that fatally shot Pierce who was driving the wrong way on route 30. Pierce led multiple police agencies on a chase for nearly two hours in a stolen semi-tractor. The Allen County Sheriff's Office is planning a press conference about the grand jury findings for Monday morning.
11:42 A.M Report:Â Van Wert County Grand Jury says the no charges will be filed against the four Allen County SWAT officers involved in the fatal shooting of Terry Pierce Jr. who led law enforcement on a two-hour chase on September 3rd.
Special Prosecutor Joseph Burkhard from Paulding County presented the case to the Grand Jury. Deputies Justin Kirk, Barry Friemoth, Detective Corey Hanjora, and Sergeant Josh Bayer has been cleared and returned to work Friday morning.
Pierce was driving a semi cab and failed to stop for the Spencerville Police Department then proceeded to lead a pursuit around northern Allen County. The Allen County Sheriff’s Office and Ohio State Highway Patrol joined in the chase, then Pierce headed west down U.S. 30 into Van Wert County. Law enforcement used stop sticks and shot out tires during their pursuit. Pierce crossed through the median and into oncoming traffic, the swat team used lethal force to stop Pierce just before he caused a serious accident.
The Allen County Sheriff’s Office will get a detailed report from the grand jury and will talk about it Monday during a scheduled media conference.
