Darke County is reeling after a high‑speed police chase turned deadly Monday night, ending with the loss of a young life and injuries to two others. Around 8:15 p.m. on State Route 47 near Ansonia‑Hunchbarger Road, a westbound SUV being chased by a sheriff’s deputy crashed head‑on with an oncoming vehicle. The collision cost 17‑year‑old Ashlee Holmes her life. The Ohio State Highway Patrol says the chase reached speeds above 120 mph before the crash.
Holmes was a passenger in a 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar driven by 33‑year‑old Tarsem Singh of Union City. A Darke County deputy first spotted the vehicle traveling well above the speed limit and attempted a traffic stop. Instead of stopping, the SUV sped off and was pursued for about five miles before the deadly impact.
As the Range Rover veered past the center line, it struck a 2016 Jeep Cherokee heading east. The force of the crash sent the Range Rover off the road, where it flipped and came to rest back on the pavement. Emergency crews rushed to the scene as night fell.
Holmes was thrown from the SUV and died at the site. Singh was critically injured and flown by helicopter to a hospital in Dayton. The 35‑year‑old woman driving the Jeep was taken to a hospital in Indiana with injuries that were serious but not life‑threatening.
Friends and family in Sidney, where Holmes lived, are left to grapple with sudden heartbreak. Those who knew her describe a bright, caring girl with dreams and plans for the future. Her loss has rippled through classrooms, homes and the wider community.
Officials from the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Darke County Sheriff’s Office continue to investigate the crash. They say details about what sparked the initial traffic stop and pursuit are still under review.
As dark hit and word of the tragedy spread, neighbors lit candles and shared stories of Ashlee’s warmth. In this tight‑knit corner of western Ohio, a promising life cut short has left a deep, aching void.
