COLUMBUS, OH – A suspect died in a car crash on Wednesday while attempting to escape from the police. The man, who was wanted for a recent stabbing assault, was spotted by police near East 23rd Avenue and Gladstone Avenue, Sgt. Joe Alber with the Public Information Unit reported.
Around 6:20 p.m., when officers engaged their lights and sirens near Cleveland Avenue and East 24th Avenue, the suspect threw his car in reverse, striking a police cruiser with two officers inside. He then proceeded to speed away, losing control of his vehicle a few minutes later, and crashed into a tree close to Medina Avenue and East 22nd Avenue.
The unidentified man died at the hospital around 7:06 p.m. Officers in the cruiser during the collision did not report any injuries. The suspect had reportedly been driving at high speeds through alleys and residential front yards prior to the crash.
“There’s kids out here playing. It’s a very dangerous situation. We, as a police department, weigh the importance of apprehending this individual over the conditions of where he is driving at a high rate of speed. But I want you to keep in mind this individual was wanted for a stabbing,” Sgt. Alber remarked.
In response to the death, an investigation has been initiated by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.