WILLOWICK, Ohio — A Willowick police officer was taken to the hospital with minor injuries following an overnight crash in which their patrol car was struck head-on at Willowick Drive and East 321st Street.
The Willowick Police Department said it was around 3:30 a.m. when officers were alerted by FLOCK camera systems of a stolen vehicle in the area of the Willowick / Eastlake border.
While allegedly fleeing Eastlake police, "the stolen vehicle continued recklessly at a high rate of speed and struck the Willowick officer's cruiser head-on, immediately disabling both vehicles," according to a Facebook post from Willowick police.
Police say the driver attempted to flee the scene, but was "quickly apprehended" by the Willowick officer from the damaged cruiser.
Both the driver and passenger were taken to the hospital with injuries related to the crash.
"The Willowick police officer was also transported to the hospital and remains in stable condition at this time," according to the department's post.
Criminal charges are pending.
The vehicle had been stolen out of Cleveland Heights, according to Eastlake police.
Want to be among the first to know the most important local and national news? You can download the free WKYC app and get the latest updates right on your phone: Android, Apple.
MORE HEADLINES:
Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in an unrelated story on April 11, 2023.