A 15-year-old boy was hospitalized after being hit by an Elyria police cruiser amidst a chaotic scene of a car accident, as reported by FOX 8. The incident occurred at around 4:15 p.m. last Friday at the corner of West Avenue and 11th Street when the officer responded to a crash involving a speeding Honda Accord and a Ford Expedition. In pursuit of the Honda driver who fled the scene, the teenager, unconnected to the initial accident, became an unwitting victim as he crossed the street.
According to News 5 Cleveland, the police cruiser was in active response mode with overhead lights on when the teen got caught up in the response to the earlier crash. The officers were searching for the suspect, who had taken off on foot after the collision, and this scene of urgent pursuits materialized within seconds, leaving little room for the boy to avoid the encounter. His current health status remains undisclosed.
Cleveland19 states that the teenager was transported to University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center. The Elyria Police Department, expressing their hopes for a quick recovery for the boy, indicated that the officer involved in the incident was not injured and has been placed on administrative leave, which aligns with their internal policies for such incidents.
While the teen's condition is still under wraps, the aftermath of the initial crash saw two individuals in the Ford sustaining non-life-threatening injuries. As the lost control of the vehicle narrative seems like a threadbare explanation in such tumultuous occurrences, the Elyria law enforcement officials continue to investigate the unfortunate series of events. The Elyria Police Department affirmed the ongoing nature of the investigation and anticipated the release of further information, including the review of body and dash camera footage.