ELYRIA, Ohio — Elyria police say a 15-year-old boy is hospitalized after being struck by a police cruiser during the pursuit of a hit-skip suspect on Friday afternoon.
According to Elyria Police Captain James Welsh, officers responded to a report of a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of West Avenue and 11th Street at approximately 4:15 p.m. Welsh says during the course of their investigation, Elyria police officers learned that a silver Honda Accord was going southbound on West Avenue "at a high rate of speed." The driver of the Honda apparently lost control, going left of center and striking a Ford Expedition that was moving northbound on West Avenue.
While two people in the Expedition sustained non-life-threatening injuries, Welsh reports that the driver of the Honda exited the vehicle and fled southbound on foot. Additional Elyria police officers were called to the area to help track down the suspect.
Meanwhile, Welsh reports that at the same time, a 15-year-old boy who was not involved in the crash was standing behind the Honda. "The teenager ran across West Ave. and was struck by an Elyria Police Officer who was operating a marked police cruiser with his overhead lights activated.," he stated.
The teenager was transported by ambulance to University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center. His condition is unknown. "The Elyria Police Department wishes the 15-year old teenager a full and speedy recovery," Welsh wrote.
According to Welsh, the officer was not injured, and was placed on administrative leave per department policy. The suspect accused of causing the crash and fleeing the scene has not yet been found.
"The crash involving the police officer and the pedestrian is under investigation. Once completed, it will be turned over to the Elyria Law Director's Office, along with the officer's body and dash camera footage for review," Welsh added.
