CLEVELAND — An innocent woman is dead after a police chase involving an alleged stolen vehicle ended in a crash in Cleveland.
Euclid police say one of their patrol officers was attempting to pull over a vehicle in connection to a robbery when the suspect vehicle crashed into another car.
Cleveland City Councilman Mike Polensek tells 3News that the other woman in the other vehicle who died as a result of the crash was a resident of his ward. He calls this an absolute tragedy.
"They went through that stop sign and hit an innocent motorist. And as a result, she's dead."
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office has identified the victim as 44-year-old Michelle Wall.
Councilman Polensek told 3News about his conversation with the city's public safety director on Sunday.
The councilman said the suspects involved in an armed car jacking in Cleveland were spotted in Euclid in the stolen vehicle earlier in the day.
Euclid police started to pursue the suspects and they say the chase ended when the suspect hit another vehicle on 156th Street near I-90 in Cleveland.
The victim who was struck by the suspects was ejected from her vehicle as a result, and taken to a nearby hospital.
"I want no stone left unturned as it pertains to charges against these individuals. This is an absolutely outrageous and disgusting act of violence on St. Patrick's Day against an innocent motorist just going about her business. And now is dead. Is dead because of these criminals," said Polensek.
The councilman is demanding more critical conversation be had on car thefts and police chases, saying officers in pursuit are left in no-win situations.
"If they don't pursue the violent individuals who are involved with gun play, then they're looked upon as they're not doing their job, they're not going after violent criminals. On the other hand, if they do, and then what do you see? You see the carnage that can result."
Cleveland police say two suspects have been arrested in this case.
UPDATE: On Monday, Polensek released the following statement about the incident that resulted in Wall's death.
“My deepest sympathy for the victim, Michelle Wall, who was just going about her life, and for her family and loved ones. I want these carjackers prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and they could be facing vehicular homicide.
“I understand it was a violent carjacking that took place a day or so before in the city of Cleveland that led Euclid police to identify this vehicle on Sunday. We collectively need to get a handle on these car thefts, carjacking and police chases, especially if they are moving from outside Cleveland into our city limits.
“Police departments across the county need to utilize additional tools, such as cameras, drones, and helicopters, to catch these violent criminals while keeping innocent citizens safe.”
3News has reached out to both Euclid police and the Euclid mayor for more details.
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