INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — An Akron man was arrested on Wednesday after allegedly driving the wrong way with a stolen vehicle on I-480.
Independence Police say 26-year-old Daniel Filmore was arrested after he crashed his vehicle into a barrier wall on State Road in Parma after driving in the wrong direction on I-480 East.
The incident happened at around 1:45 a.m. after Independence Police saw a "suspicious vehicle" on Brecksville Road with a broken driver's side window.
The police officer followed the suspicious vehicle, which began driving recklessly.
Eventually, an officer attempted to pull over the vehicle near Rockside Road, but the driver sped away onto the I-77 northbound entrance ramp. Moments later, the driver crossed over the grassy median onto I-480 west and eventually began driving westbound on I-480 East into oncoming traffic.
"The driver continued to drive recklessly exiting I-480 at State Road then immediately getting back onto I-480, and quickly hitting an embankment which caused his vehicle to spin around. At a high rate of speed, he exited I-480 at State Road and crashed his vehicle into the barrier on State Road over I-480 as Parma Police arrived on the scene," said Independence Police officials.
The suspect was taken to MetroHealth Medical Center, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
“The officer was compelled to continue following this driver because he had created a life-threatening situation. Daniel Filmore chose to put others at risk, I am happy to hear that no officers or innocent motorists were injured due to this suspect’s reckless actions,” said Independence Police Chief Robert Butler.
Police say that Filmore was driving with a suspended license and has an outstanding felony warrant with Akron, and multiple warrants for drug abuse, theft and other crimes with the Cleveland, Rocky River, Beachwood, and Lakewood Police Departments.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above previously aired on 3News on Feb. 1, 2023.