NEWARK, Ohio -- A trooper and police officer who were ticketed for going more than 140 mph while off duty received different fates Monday.
In July, authorities said, 35-year-old Jason Highsmith was clocked going 147 mph on I-70, east of Columbus, where the speed limit is 65 mph.
Highsmith was riding with two other people, including an off-duty Gahanna officer.
Authorities said officer Christopher Thomas, 33, was clocked going 149 mph on I-70.
An OSP radar plane clocked the motorcyclists allegedly going those speeds Sunday, June 28, and troopers made the traffic stop.
A third motorcyclist also was part of the group but was not clocked on radar and was not ticketed.
Four days after the stop, troopers issued Highsmith a ticket, and eight days later Thomas was issued a citation.
Highsmith will be put on probation for two years. During that time, if Highsmith violates the code of conduct, he will be terminated.
He was transferred from the motorcycle division to the Marysville Post -- effective Tuesday, Aug. 25.
Officials also said he would be suspended for five days without pay.
Highsmith entered a plea of not guilty on Wednesday, July 8. He was sentenced to a $150 fine plus court costs. His license was to be suspended for six months, and four points were added to his license.
He was granted work driving privileges.
Thomas pleaded guilty Wednesday, Aug. 5, and was sentenced to a $150 fine and six-month license suspension.
Also Monday, Gahanna officials released a letter to Thomas from Gahanna Director Of Public Safety Robert O. E. Keyes that announced the termination of his employment with Gahanna police.
Click here to read the entire termination letter.
In the letter, Keyes wrote, "Taking into account the severity of your misconduct, the fact that it was intentional and completely unjustified, the fact that you placed not only yourself, but others in danger, and the harm to reputation caused by your conduct, I am terminating your employment effective immediately."
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