Driver Of Stolen Vehicle Leads Troopers On Chase

Riverton – A 32 year-old Alliance, Ohio man remains in custody after leading a Trooper on a 59 mile chase in Fremont County on Saturday evening.  The vehicle he was operating, a 2001 Dodge Ram pickup, had been reported stolen on December 21^st from Alliance, Ohio.

The incident began shortly after 9:00 P.M. when a Trooper observed a vehicle speeding 86 mph in a 65 mph zone on US 26 just outside of Riverton.  The Trooper attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver refused to comply. 

The pursuit went northbound out of Riverton on US 26/287 during which the driver attempted to lose the Trooper by turning off the vehicles headlights.  Speeds varied from 40 mph to as high as 114 mph.  During the pursuit the Trooper observed several baggies of an unknown substance being thrown from the vehicle. 

The driver eventually left the roadway driving through a barbed wire fence and going off road in the snow where the Trooper could not follow in his patrol vehicle.  The Trooper was assisted by officers from the Wind River Bureau of Indian Affairs Police with a 4x4 vehicle equipped with tire chains. 

The officers located the vehicle over several hills approximately ¾ mile from the highway and arrested Matthew G. Snyder who had crawled in the back seat and was passed out.  Snyder listed his home address as Alliance, Ohio. 

Snyder has been charged with speeding, driving while under the influence, eluding, driving while drivers license under suspension, possession of a stolen vehicle and reckless driving.  The case remains under investigation while Troopers attempt to locate and test the unknown substance tossed from the moving vehicle.  It is unknown at this time if law enforcement authorities in Ohio will seek Snyder’s extradition back to that State for the stolen vehicle charges.