MAPLE HEIGHTS, Ohio — A Maple Heights police officer was among three people taken to the hospital with minor injuries due to an overnight crash involving a pursuit.
Authorities say the situation started in the early morning hours Thursday as Maple Heights police were in pursuit of a Jeep Cherokee “that had been driving recklessly, had no visible registration and other violations.”
Police say the pursuit began near the intersection of Broadway Avenue and Libby Road, continuing to Lee Road before entering Cleveland.
As the pursuit neared Judson Drive on Lee Road, the Jeep and a police cruiser went around an uninvolved vehicle as it waited to turn into Rally’s.
“After they passed around the motorist, a second cruiser, slightly further behind the pursuit, approached the same area with its lights and siren activated,” according to a press release from the Maple Heights Police Department.
As the driver turned to enter Rally’s in front of the second cruiser, police say the officer attempted to swerve around the vehicle but struck its front end.
“The cruiser veered into the Rally’s lot and struck the front end of another vehicle in the lot before continuing toward the tree lawn of the property where it rolled onto its side.”
Police said the drivers of all three vehicles involved in the crash were taken to area hospitals with minor injuries. We're told the officer was treated and released.
Maple Heights police, meanwhile, are looking for information on the driver of the Jeep.
“It is believed this vehicle had been involved in other illegal activity in Garfield Heights and Cleveland prior to this pursuit.”
Maple Heights police say the pursuit was "terminated in the area of Harvard Avenue and Lee Road."
Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact the Maple Heights Detective Bureau at 216-587-9624. Tips can also be provided to Crime Stoppers at 216-252-7463.
Want to be among the first to know the most important local and national news? You can download the free WKYC app and get the latest updates right on your phone: Android, Apple.
Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in an unrelated story on March 20, 2023.