Chase ends with accident involving mayor of Maumee

MAUMEE, Ohio (WTVG) – On Thursday, Maumee Mayor Jim MacDonald returned to his roots as a police officer when a chase came dangerously close to his death.

MacDonald was once a police officer and police chief. On Thursday, he remembered the lessons and training.

While state police pursued a gray Honda on the Anthony Wayne Trail through Maumee and past Conant Street, Mayor MacDonald left City Hall and headed home.

“I thought it was gone, I thought they had followed the trail,” the mayor said.

As the mayor drove down Gibbs Street, the vehicle he was pursuing crossed the street directly in front of him and a collision occurred. Both vehicles were badly damaged.

“It was a pretty bad collision. He ran into my path. I got there right as he entered the intersection and hit his driver's side. It was a pretty bad impact,” MacDonald said.

As MacDonald got out of his car, the suspect, identified as Jose Jimenez, ran away. That's when the mayor's police training came into play.

“I followed the suspect and when I caught up with him I grabbed him. When I turned around I saw the police running across the field towards me. They handcuffed him and arrested him. That's when I realized this was the man they had been chasing,” MacDonald said.

MacDonald suffered some injuries from the airbags and was in pain, but is expected to recover. He said he was thankful that this was the extent of the injuries and damage.

According to the police summons, Jimenez has already been charged with drunk driving. He is due to appear in court again on Monday morning.

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