Some of those factors include the seriousness of the crime, where the pursuit is taking place and weather conditions. Of course, any officer has the discretion to call it off, and they are encouraged to do so any time danger heightens, she said.

"It's not worth risking their life or the life of any other person for a minor traffic violation," Martin said.

On Tuesday, several Pataskala and Reynoldsburg police officers chased a green Ford Explorer carrying four men who allegedly robbed a Pataskala bank. The chase ended in a crash that killed one suspect and injured the three other men and a female motorist.

Pataskala Police Chief Chris Forshey was confident that the chase, which was begun by Pataskala police, was warranted. Police began chasing the men soon after they fled the First Federal Savings & Loan Association in Pataskala.

Pataskala police, like many of their brethren, have a pursuit policy. The department's policy depends on a number of factors, including the seriousness of a crime and the danger a criminal may pose to the public if he or she escapes, Forshey said.

"You've got three criminal felons who just robbed a bank and they were armed," Forshey said.

Pursuit policies vary by department, however most have similar guidelines, said Lt. Rick Fambro of the Ohio Highway Patrol.

Ohio Highway Patrol supervisors maintain steady contact with troopers who pursue suspects to make sure the officer is considering the safety of those traveling the roads and not focusing solely on the chase, Fambro said.

For example, a supervisor would call off a pursuit if the suspect drives into a metropolitan area during rush hour, he said.

Sometimes, when a pursuit is called off, troopers work backwards, Fambro said. They use the license plate number to find the owner of the car, then ask the owner who had the vehicle last, he said.

For Newark police officers, the rule is reasonableness and the seriousness of the crime, Capt. Al Zellner said.

"The course of the pursuit changes to quickly. You're really at the mercy of the defendant's actions to a large degree," he said. "He sets the speed."

Reporter Chad Klimack contributed to this story.