MAPLE HEIGHTS, Ohio — A 32-year-old man is dead after police say an apparent road rage incident ended with a shooting and subsequent crash in Maple Heights.
It was just after 6:45 p.m. Wednesday when officers found a car that had crashed into a home near the corner of Cato Street and North Boulevard. Authorities had initially been called for reports of shots fired, and located Christopher Jones on the ground near the driver's side door of the wrecked vehicle.
According to police, Jones had been hit by gunfire and was subsequently rushed to a local hospital. He later died there from his injuries.
"The one driver was hit and ultimately crashed his car and succumbed to the injuries from the gunshot wound," Maple Heights Police Chief Todd Hansen told 3News Thursday.
In the home that was struck by the car was Alfredia Forkland, who said she was watching TV when the crash happened.
"I went to the door and I looked out and I see a man on the ground, and I called 911," she said.
She and her family members were safe, but glass in one of her windows was shattered.
A neighbor tells 3News she heard multiple gunshots before the crash, which she heard from inside her home. She went outside to check on the driver.
"He was already out on the ground, and I asked him if he was alright, and he moaned, and Maple Heights police pulled up," she said.
Chief Hansen said they do not believe anyone else was in Jones' car. He also said the police department may know of a vehicle of interest.
"A black crossover type vehicle possibly is involved, but we're following up with the investigation on the specifics of that vehicle," he said.
Per investigators, witnesses claimed at least one other vehicle had "engaged in road rage type driving with the victim's vehicle" before shots were heard and Jones' car crashed.
"One of the vehicles, according to some witnesses, was driving somewhat erratically, obviously angered the other party, and they started having a back and forth like you might typically see in a road rage kind of incident, and that led to shots being fired," Hansen said.
Hansen said they are still collecting video footage and other evidence, but said it seems like the victim may have initially engaged the behavior.
If you find yourself in a road rage situation, Hansen suggests de-escalating the situation, creating distance between yourself and the other car, and if you're being followed, driving to a safe, public spot, like a police department or city building.
"You get people slinging hand gestures back and forth or yelling through their car at other people, don't engage," he said. "You don't know the person, they don't know you, it really doesn't matter and it's not worth your time. Slow down, try to disengage from the other vehicle, and don't tit for tat with your behavior."
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to immediately call the Maple Heights Police Department's detective bureau at (216) 587-9624 or email detectives@mhpd-ohio.com. Tips can also be sent to Crime Stoppers of Cuyahoga County by calling (216) 252-7463.
