ZANESVILLE – The Ohio State Highway Patrol has identified Joseph P. Hreah, 31, of Nashport, Oh., as the motorist who shot himself early this morning on Prior Road, one mile east of State Route 146 in Licking Township.

At 2:54 this morning, a Zanesville Post trooper attempted to stop a 2002 KIA Sportage for a speed violation on North Point Drive (County Road 723). The vehicle did not stop and a pursuit continued on County and Township Roads in Muskingum Township, Cass Township, and Jackson Township.

At 3:22 a.m., the Sportage lost control and went off the left side of the road, struck a fence, went back on the road and struck the Patrol cruiser. As a result of the crash, both vehicles went off the right side of the road into a ditch. The trooper was not injured in the crash.

Following the crash, the trooper heard a single gun shot. The trooper approached the Sportage and found Hreah had apparently killed himself with a shotgun.

The Muskingum County Coroner arrived at the scene and Hreah was taken to the Licking County Coroners Office for an autopsy.

The investigation is ongoing.

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