Motorist dies in fleeing attempt

MARION TWP. — A Tiffin man was pronounced dead at the scene of a motorcycle crash late Friday night. On Feb. 9, Joshua Hayes, 33, was riding a 2004 Honda motorcycle east on Ohio 568 around 11:57 p.m., according to a news release from the Ohio State Highway Patrol Findlay Post. Hayes was actively fleeing from the Hancock County Sheriff's Office when Hayes traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a large ravine. Hayes came to a final rest in a nearby field. He was the only one involved in the accident. Life-saving measures were attempted, but Hayes was pronounced dead at the scene. The release stated deputies were pursing the motorcycle after it fled from an attempted traffic stop in Findlay, but it is not yet known why police were pursing Hayes. The state patrol was requested to investigate the crash. The road was closed for approximately three hours during the investigation. The crash remains under investigation.