Man accused of running down officer

MT. VERNON, Ohio – A Knox County man will go before a judge today in connection with a chase that sent a police officer to the hospital.

Josh Baldridge, 18, was arrested yesterday, several hours after he allegedly ran down a Danville police officer who was deploying stop sticks on Coshocton Road.

The incident prompted a rare Blue Alert, an advisory similar to an Amber Alert, issued when  a law enforcement officer has been injured by a suspect who is still at large.

Officer Chad Lishness is in serious condition at a Columbus hospital.

Knox County Jail officials say Baldridge is being held on drunk-driving charges, with other charges pending.