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Police chase ends in Allegheny County; started with shots fired at police in Ohio

A high-speed police chase that started in Jefferson County, Ohio, ended with an arrest in Allegheny County early Friday morning on Potato Garden Run Road in Findlay Township.

The chase started around 4:30 a.m. in Ohio after police approached a vehicle belonging to a man wanted in Jefferson County — but the driver of the car sped off. He then fled into West Virginia and into Pennsylvania.

That’s when troopers ended the chase.

Later, the McDonald Borough Police spotted the suspected vehicle, and Tyler Karhut was taken into custody.

“He just made everybody’s life up in an uproar,” said his mom, Patricia Karhut.

Channel 11′s Andrew Havranek spoke with Patricia Friday morning. She didn’t want to be shown on camera.

“What mother wants to know that their son wants to get shot and end his life? I don’t,” Karhut said.

Karhut said her son shot at police while he was driving, saying he wanted to die.

Ohio State Police confirmed that Karhut was shooting from his vehicle. They said no troopers were hurt, and officers did not return fire.

“He was screaming, ‘Just shoot me,’” Karhut said.

Karhut said this was a mental health crisis. She said her son has been on and off medications.

She’s thankful he’s in custody, but said he needs to get help.

“I couldn’t even imagine losing one of my children,” Karhut said. “Not at all. He had so much going for him, now look.”

The chase remains under investigation by Ohio State Police.

>> Help is available: Here are resources if you need mental health support.

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