Report: Nearly one in six police chases top 100-mph mark

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A newspaper's analysis of police chases by Oklahoma City police over the last three years shows nearly one in six reached speeds of more than 100 miles per hour. <br/><br/>The

Sunday, February 19th 2006, 4:14 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A newspaper's analysis of police chases by Oklahoma City police over the last three years shows nearly one in six reached speeds of more than 100 miles per hour.

The Oklahoman reviewed police-compiled data on 618 chases and found that officers' estimated speeds topped 100 miles per hour in 99 pursuits.

Oklahoma City police are reviewing their pursuit policies after a string of wrecks resulting from pursuits last year. One of those crashes killed police Sergeant Jon Dragus, who was chasing a man on a stolen motorcycle when his cruiser wrecked Oct. 20.

Under the department's current policy, the decision to pursue a suspect is at the officer's discretion, but a supervisor may order the chase terminated at any time because of safety concerns.

Nationwide, experts say about 40 percent of all police chases end in crashes.