Cleveland police are asking for the public's help tracking down three people tied to a violent West Side crash that left a man fighting for his life earlier this month.
According to the Cleveland Division of Police, the wreck happened around 10:51 p.m. on March 9 near Pearl Road and Denison Avenue. Investigators say a 2023 Dodge Charger was heading north on Pearl at high speed when it ran a red light and slammed into a 2007 Honda Accord that was turning into a parking lot.
The passenger in the Accord, a 38-year-old man, suffered life-threatening injuries and was rushed to the hospital, police said. Detectives later released still images of three people described as persons of interest, saying they were at the scene but took off before officers arrived. Anyone who recognizes them is being urged to step up, according to WOIO.
Accident Investigation Unit leading probe
The Cleveland Division of Police Accident Investigation Unit is now reconstructing the crash, working to pin down exactly how it unfolded and who was involved. As News 5 Cleveland has reported in other hit-and-run cases, detectives routinely lean on surveillance footage, dash-cam video and community tips to identify drivers and passengers after serious wrecks.
How to help
Police are asking anyone with information about the March 9 crash to call the Accident Investigation Unit at 216-623-5295 or Detective Bilko at 216-623-3363. Investigators specifically want to hear from people who have dash-cam or doorbell-camera footage from the area of Pearl Road and Denison on the night of the crash, according to WOIO.
Local coverage has highlighted that hit-and-run crashes have been a recurring problem in Cleveland this year, with similar cases where injured victims were left behind and detectives put out public calls for video and witnesses. News 5 Cleveland has detailed multiple instances where those community tips and nearby cameras became key pieces of the puzzle. That track record helps explain why investigators released photos and vehicle details more than a week after the March 9 crash.
The investigation is ongoing, and police say they will share updates as new information comes in. Anyone with even a small tip or brief video clip is being encouraged to call, with detectives noting that minor details can sometimes crack a case wide open.
