JACKSON COUNTY, OH — A high-speed vehicle pursuit on U.S. Route 35 Thursday afternoon ended in a serious crash involving a Chillicothe man and a 6-year-old child, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The chase began shortly after 4:30 p.m. on May 29, 2025, when troopers from the Jackson Patrol Post attempted to stop a white Ford Edge for following too closely near mile post 4 in Jackson Township. The driver, identified as James Walker, 28, of Dayton, fled eastbound on U.S. 35, reaching speeds over 100 mph.
In an effort to stop the vehicle, troopers deployed stop sticks, but Walker swerved to avoid them and rear-ended another vehicle—a Chevrolet Trax driven by Gene Burgman Jr., of Chillicothe. The impact caused Burgman’s vehicle to roll across the median and land in the westbound lanes.
Walker’s vehicle came to a controlled stop on the roadside, and he was taken into custody without further incident. Two passengers were inside the Ford Edge, including Myracle Evans, 28, of Dayton, and a 6-year-old child.
Injuries and Charges
- Evans and Burgman were both transported to Holzer Hospital in Jackson with serious injuries.
- The juvenile passenger sustained minor injuries and was also taken to Holzer.
- Walker was not injured and was booked into the Jackson County Jail.
He now faces multiple felony charges, including:
- Possession of Drugs
- Drug Trafficking
- Failure to Comply
- Tampering with Evidence
- Aggravated Vehicular Assault
- Child Endangerment
Scene Response
Both directions of U.S. 35 were reduced to one lane for approximately an hour as emergency crews responded and cleared the scene.
Assisting at the scene were the Jackson Police Department, Jackson Fire Department, Jackson County EMS, Mapes Towing, and Sprouse Towing.
The crash and criminal investigation remains ongoing.
