State police get warrant for wanted Ohio man
State police obtained an arrest warrant for an Ohio man accused of leading troopers on a low-speed chase in a construction zone on Interstate 70 in Donegal Township earlier this month after he allegedly kidnapped his 22-month-old son.
Jonathan J. Hawthorne, 35, of St. Clairsville, also reportedly endangered two construction workers for Golden Triangle when he hit a construction sign. Hawthorne was charged Friday by state police at the office of District Judge Ethan Ward with risking a catastrophe, endangering the welfare of children by a parent, fleeing or attempting to elude police, reckless endangerment, leaving the scene of a crash and several traffic violations.
Hawthorne is currently incarcerated in Northern Regional jail in Moundsville, W.Va., on $100,000 bond after the Ohio County (W.Va.) sheriff’s department charged him with child negligence resulting in injury and fleeing while intoxicated. He also faces kidnapping, child endangerment and domestic violence charges filed by investigators with the Belmont County, Ohio, sheriff’s office.
State police said a bulletin had been issued for Hawthorne, who reportedly threatened to commit suicide. Hawthorne was reportedly heading toward South Strabane Township.
Donegal police first encountered the vehicle just off the Claysville exit of the highway. Hawthorne got on I-70 westbound. While driving, he was reportedly sending a family member text messages indicating he was going to shoot the police, himself and the boy.
State police tried using spike strips to stop Hawthorne, but he was able to avoid them. Police said he also hit a construction sign, damaging his vehicle, so speeds slowed to 20 mph.
Once the pursuit entered West Virginia, Ohio County deputies were waiting. The pursuit slowed to 5 mph and Hawthorne jumped out of the moving vehicle with the child still inside it. The vehicle went into a ditch. The boy, who did not appear to be injured, was taken to Wheeling (W.Va.) Hospital as a precaution.
A Pennsylvania state trooper used his Taser to help subdue Hawthorne, who resisted attempts to handcuff him.
A preliminary hearing will be scheduled before Ward.