EUCLID, Ohio — Euclid Police Chief Scott Meyer has released more information on last Sunday's police chase that began in his city before ending with a crash that killed an innocent woman in Cleveland.
Michelle Wall, 44, died when her vehicle was struck by what authorities say was a stolen Jeep. Her family is now asking for accountability, claiming authorities "could've stopped" the pursuit before Wall was struck.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Meyer noted that members of the Euclid Police Department personally met with Wall's mother and answered her questions about the situation. He also detailed the events that led up to the deadly chase.
According to Meyer, the Jeep was stolen in Cleveland early Friday morning when a group of roughly 10 armed males blocked the vehicle in as it attempted to turn around. Two females were in the car and one of the suspects put a gun to the driver's head before taking off with the vehicle and other items.
Two days later, Meyer says a Flock camera picked up the stolen Jeep's license plate number near East 222nd Street and North Lakeland Boulevard in Euclid, with an alert indicating the occupants may be armed. An officer then turned on their marked cruiser's lights and siren when a chase ensued, which, per Meyer, involved only one department car and lasted less than three minutes.
The pursuit ended when the Jeep slammed into Wall's car around 3 p.m. near the intersection of East 156th Street and Calcutta Avenue in Cleveland, ejecting Wall from her seat and killing her. Meyer says the suspect driver and his passenger both tried to run away before both were arrested in a nearby backyard. They were both taken to a local hospital for precautionary reasons.
While the suspect's name has not been released, police say he is a 17-year-old boy from Cleveland who did not have a driver's license. Officers also found a handgun in the stolen Jeep, according to Meyer.
"My deepest condolences go out to the family and loved ones of Michelle Wall," Meyer said in a statement. "She lost her life in yet another senseless act of violence and lawlessness in Cuyahoga County. Her life was taken by a suspect who attempted to evade apprehension by the Euclid Police Department; a suspect who acted selfishly without any regard for the lives and safety of others."
The suspect, who is currently being held at the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center, is facing the following charges:
- Murder
- Aggravated vehicular homicide
- Felonious assault
- Failure to comply
- Aggravated vehicular assault
- Receiving stolen property
- Improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle
Any decision to charge the suspect as an adult would be made by the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court.
"The Euclid Police Department is committed to serving the community in a safe, fair, and impartial manner," Meyer continued. "We will continue to directly address our crime control challenges. We take seriously our obligation to carefully balance both of these efforts."
CORRECTION: The original article incorrectly stated that Chief Meyer personally visited the Wall family. Also, we have removed language that implied the reasoning for the release of additional details.