CLEVELAND — Nearly three months after a car crashed into an apartment building in Cleveland's Mount Pleasant neighborhood, setting off a gas line and triggering a fatal explosion, the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) has captured the suspected driver.
Christopher Terry, 39, was arrested by the NOVFTF on Friday in the 4200 block of Memphis Avenue. He was wanted by the Cleveland Division of Police for aggravated vehicular homicide.
Authorities say on Nov. 19, 2023, Terry was driving a 2019 Dodge Challenger over 120 miles per hour when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into trees, traveled through several front yards, struck the porch of an apartment building, and eventually crashed into the front porch of a home on East 139th Street.
When the car struck the apartment building in the 3400 block of East 139th Street, it caused severe damage to the gas line. Minutes after the crash, the building exploded. The body of 69-year-old April Yarbrough was later found in the rubble of the apartment explosion.
“The death of this victim is an utter tragedy, the suspect has absolutely no regard for the safety of anyone else in this community. The suspect facing the justice system will hopefully be the first step in the healing process for all of the victims involved in this case," said U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott.
The Cleveland Division of Fire deployed over 60 firefighters to deal with the explosion. Two were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
"The car was across the sidewalk on the front lawns of the apartment building as it was coming up. It started some distance down on 139th St., struck the front of that apartment building, came over here and struck the house," said Lt. Mike Norman of the Cleveland Division of Fire. "So when it struck the apartment building they believe that a gas line was ruptured and then the leaking gas eventually found an ignition source and that was the cause of the explosion."
Norman says four people were displaced as a result of the explosion. The owner of the apartment building told 3News that the car hit the structure's gas meters.
More from 3News:
- 'Due to his reckless actions': Lorain police arrest 24-year-old driver for 2023 crash that killed passenger
- Ohio Amber Alert canceled: Columbus police find body believed to be missing 5-year-old boy Darnell Taylor, suspect Pammy Maye arrested near Cleveland
- President Biden visiting East Palestine more than 1 year after toxic Ohio train derailment: Watch live coverage