CLEVELAND — A Cuyahoga County grand jury has returned an 11-count indictment against Jalen Jackson, charging the Cleveland man with two counts of murder in connection with the police pursuit that ended with a fatal wrong-way crash on Interstate 90 last week.
County Prosecutor Michael C. O'Malley confirms Jackson also faces nine other charges, including:
- Involuntary manslaughter
- Aggravated robbery
- Felonious assault (three counts)
- Failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer
- Discharge of firearm on or near prohibited premises
- Having weapons under disability
- Vehicular assault
Jackson, 23, is accused of stealing a delivery van in Cleveland Heights before leading officers on a chase that went into Cleveland. The van eventually got on I-90 west going the wrong way, slamming head on into another car above Fulton Road. The driver of that car, 70-year-old Akron Dr. Curtis Birchall, died at the scene.
"This case is truly tragic and shows Mr. Jackson's complete disregard for human life," O'Malley said in a statement. "One man just trying to do his job was carjacked, countless people were put in danger, and another man — who had dedicated his life to helping others — died as a direct result of the defendant’s actions."
Authorities claim Jackson robbed the 55-year-old Amazon driver of his Enterprise van at gunpoint near Summit Park Road and Cleveland Heights Boulevard, with Jackson allegedly telling the victim to stay still or he would "blow his f---ing brains out." As he drove thorough East Cleveland and into the Ohio City neighborhood, speeds reached up to 113 miles per hour, with police reporting to have heard at least two gunshots coming from the van.
Following the collision, Jackson ran across the highway before being arrested. He is currently being held in the Cuyahoga County Jail on $1 million bond.
Besides Jackson's alleged actions, questions have also arisen over Cleveland Heights PD's decision to continue the pursuit despite the potential danger, and the department's own policies even stating that "as a general rule, officers should not pursue a vehicle driving the wrong way on a roadway, highway or freeway." The city's mayor and police chief have declined to give judgement on the matter until an investigation is completed.
Court records show Jackson already had at least two warrants out for his arrest, one for alleged theft and vandalism and another for stealing a motor vehicle. If convicted in this case, he could face up to life in prison.