A Ohio Turnpike rollover accident escalated into a violent confrontation that left a nonprofit executive with a criminal past dead after he attacked a state trooper, stole a patrol car, and led police on a cross-state chase.
At a Glance
- DeShawn Leeth attacked an Ohio State Patrol trooper after being involved in a rollover crash on the Ohio Turnpike
- Bodycam footage shows Leeth repeatedly shouting “in the name of Jesus” while threatening and assaulting the officer
- After stealing the patrol car and fleeing to Pennsylvania, Leeth crashed again and was fatally shot during a confrontation with police
- Despite being executive director of a youth nonprofit, Leeth had served seven years in prison for home invasions and was released in 2023
Violent Confrontation Follows Highway Crash
Newly released bodycam footage captures the dangerous chain of events that unfolded on April 4 near the Ohio-Pennsylvania state line. DeShawn Leeth, 33, was first involved in a single-car rollover crash on the Ohio Turnpike. When a state trooper responded to assist, the situation rapidly deteriorated.
The footage shows Leeth becoming increasingly agitated and aggressive toward the officer who was attempting to help following the accident. Leeth can be heard repeatedly shouting “in the name of Jesus” while demonstrating erratic behavior.
During the encounter, Leeth made explicit threats to the responding officer. “You’re gonna get hurt,” Leeth warned the trooper before escalating to, “Next time you touch me, you gonna die.” The officer, following protocol for an increasingly dangerous situation, deployed his Taser in an attempt to subdue Leeth. However, the Taser proved ineffective, with Leeth appearing completely unaffected by the electrical charge meant to temporarily incapacitate him.
Patrol Car Theft and Fatal Pursuit
After the failed Taser deployment, Leeth launched a physical attack on the officer. “I’m stronger than you,” Leeth told the trooper before throwing multiple punches. The officer fought back, but was eventually knocked to the ground, suffering minor injuries in the altercation. With the officer temporarily incapacitated, Leeth seized the opportunity to steal the patrol vehicle, immediately fleeing the scene and crossing into Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania State Police quickly joined the pursuit of the stolen patrol vehicle. Leeth’s flight came to an abrupt end when he crashed the patrol car in Pennsylvania. Following the crash, Pennsylvania authorities confronted Leeth, who reportedly continued his aggressive behavior. According to police statements, Leeth attacked the Pennsylvania officers, which led to the fatal shooting. Details of this final confrontation have not been fully released as investigations continue.
Community Leader with a Criminal Past
The case has drawn additional attention due to Leeth’s contradictory background. At the time of the incident, he was serving as the executive director of Under-Dawg-Nation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping at-risk children. This position of community leadership stood in stark contrast to his criminal history. Leeth had previously served seven years in prison for multiple home invasion charges stemming from incidents in 2012 and 2016.
Leeth had only recently been released from prison in 2023, suggesting he had established his role with the youth organization shortly after completing his sentence. This dual identity—as both a convicted felon and a nonprofit leader working with vulnerable children—has raised questions about rehabilitation programs and background checking protocols for those working with youth. The Ohio State Patrol has declined further comment on the incident as investigations continue.
