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Two people killed after fleeing from state troopers, crashing in Cleveland

The crash itself remains under investigation, although authorities believe alcohol played a role.

A man and woman are dead after the male driver apparently led state troopers on a chase before crashing his car early Saturday morning in Cleveland.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, one of its sergeants attempted to initiate a traffic stop around 1:11 a.m. after a blue 2004 Chrysler Pacifica ran a red light on St. Clair Ave. near East 93rd St. The Pacifica failed to stop, and a high-speed chase ensued eastbound.

The Pacifica then allegedly ran another red light at East 110th St., at which time the trooper discontinued the chase due to the potential unsafe conditions of the situation. He continued without his siren on St. Clair before noticing a crowd at a gas station near East 123rd St., at which point the suspect vehicle was found up against a utility pole.

Investigators say the car traveled left of center over the St. Clair curb and then overcorrected, causing it to run off the right side of the road and smash into the pole. Three people were inside, and none were apparently wearing seatbelts.

The driver of the Pacifica, 30-year-old Cleveland resident Antonio Whitely, was pronounced dead at the scene. Ashely Martin, a 25-year-old Cleveland woman was in the right front passenger seat. She was taken to University Hospitals with "incapacitating" injuries, and was later pronounced dead. A third victim, a child in the backseat, was also taken to UH with more minor injuries.

The crash itself remains under investigation, although authorities believe alcohol played a role.

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