Police: Driver struck officer with car, fled

STAFF REPORT

LIBERTY — Police say two men are facing charges after hitting an officer with their vehicle and leading a chase through Liberty Township.

Very early Tuesday, an officer stopped Michael Rivers, 25, of Youngstown, for an improper turn onto state Route 193 from Colonial Drive. After arguing from within his vehicle and refusing to provide identification, Rivers sped away and struck Officer Raymond Buhala, police said.

Uninjured, Buhala returned to his vehicle, following Rivers’ 2000 Buick south on Route 193, U.S. Route 422 and later state Route 11. During the pursuit, police said a black book bag was thrown from the passenger side of the vehicle by Dionadre Etheridge, 26, of Youngstown.

The vehicle came to a stop in the East Side of Youngstown, where Rivers was apprehended while trying to flee, police said. Etheridge and a female passenger were arrested without incident.

In the car, a digital scale with possible cocaine residue and nearly a dozen disposable gloves were found, police said. The book bag was also recovered. It contained a handgun and 114 bullets.

Rivers is charged with aggravated vehicular assault, failure to comply, no operator’s license, a probation violation and a traffic charge. He’s in the Trumbull County Jail in lieu of a $25,000 bond.

Etheridge, who initially provided officers with his brother’s name, is in jail in lieu of a $10,000 bond. He is charged with identity theft, obstructing official business, having a weapon while under disability due to a prior felony, carrying a concealed weapon and tampering with evidence.

The woman was released.