GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio — Three people are in custody and multiple innocent bystanders were taken to the hospital after a police pursuit ended with a crash in Garfield Heights Thursday evening.
According to a report from the department, an officer located a white Kia Sportage on Turney Road just before 7:20 p.m. and claimed to have seen three people inside wearing face masks. The officer then ran the vehicle's license plate and discovered it was stolen out of Cleveland, and a chase ensued that eventually involved multiple units.
The Kia sped up and circled around the area, with authorities reporting it going as fast as 80 mph. Eventually the car began going east on Libby Road headed towards Lee Road in Maple Heights when it ran a red light and struck two other vehicles before slamming into a nearby RTA bus stop.
Following the wreck, officials say the driver attempted to run before being captured in an open field. The two passengers were also apprehended, with one of them being identified as Jamarez Andrews. The names of the two others in the car were not named due to the fact that they are under the age of 18.
The three suspects were taken to an area hospital with minor injuries. In addition, all occupants of a Kia Optima that was hit by the stolen vehicle were transported from the scene via ambulance. Their conditions are not known at this time.
Per the police report, officers seized a firearm from one of the suspects that was stolen from Twinsburg. The stolen Sportage also caught fire after the crash, but the flames were put out.
The incident remains under investigation.
