A late-night confrontation that started outside an IHOP in Springfield Township turned into a multi-jurisdiction chase Saturday, ending in Akron when officers shot the driver of a semi-truck after it slammed into several police cruisers and civilian vehicles. The 34-year-old driver was hospitalized and taken into custody, and at least one officer suffered serious injuries. State investigators have now stepped in while local TV stations dissect hours of police video.
Body And Dash Cameras Capture Chaotic Standoff
Body-worn and dash-camera footage aired by FOX 8 shows Springfield Township officers surrounding a semi in the IHOP parking lot and trying to pull a man from the cab. The truck suddenly lurches forward and takes off. Later in the clip, the semi is seen colliding with cruisers and other vehicles along East Market Street as Akron officers close in. According to FOX 8, the driver, reported to be 34 years old, was taken from the scene to a hospital in police custody.
How The Pursuit Unfolded
WOIO reports that the chain of events started Saturday evening after customers at the IHOP on South Arlington Road called in a disturbance. Officers confronted a man in the semi-truck, and during the struggle, an officer was thrown from the vehicle, suffering a concussion and a broken leg, according to WOIO. The truck then headed north on I-77 into Akron. Reporting from Signal Akron adds that once in Akron, the semi attached a trailer that witnesses and investigators say may have been stolen.
Shots Fired On East Market Street
Akron Police say officers eventually found the semi in a parking lot in the 1700 block of East Market Street. According to the department, the driver rammed several cruisers, then pulled onto East Market and headed west toward Innovation Way. As the truck struck another cruiser, two officers opened fire and hit the driver at least once, Akron Beacon Journal. The Beacon Journal notes the driver was treated at a hospital for injuries not considered life-threatening, and that the officers who fired have been placed on paid administrative leave in line with department policy. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation responded to the scene and is leading the criminal probe.
State Probe And Internal Review Underway
According to local reports, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation will turn its findings over to the state attorney general’s office for potential grand jury review, while Akron’s Office of Professional Standards and Accountability conducts a separate internal investigation. WOIO reports that Springfield Township officials expect to release a police report and additional bodycam footage this week, which could shed more light on the moments leading up to the gunfire. FOX 8 also reports that one officer is recovering from two fractures to his leg. Authorities have not yet announced any criminal charges as investigators continue to collect and review evidence.
