A newly released I-Team video shows a Greater Cleveland RTA bus slamming into a Cleveland police cruiser as the cruiser sped to a call at the Ohio City intersection of West 25th Street and Detroit Avenue. Two officers and a passenger on the bus suffered minor injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital.
Video Released by FOX 8 Shows Impact
On Tuesday, FOX 8's I-Team rolled out the footage, which shows the cruiser and bus meeting in the intersection - the cruiser appearing to travel northbound while the bus moves eastbound - and first responders quickly converging on the scene, according to FOX 8's I-Team. The clip stitches together multiple camera angles from vehicle cameras and bystanders, and the station is framing the video as part of its investigative coverage of transit and traffic safety.
Where And When It Happened
The crash happened on Jan. 26 just before 1:30 p.m. at West 25th and Detroit Avenue while officers were responding to a Code 1 assignment with lights and sirens, according to Spectrum News 1. Officials said two Cleveland officers and a passenger on the RTA bus were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Local scene reports noted that RTA transit police and EMS also responded as investigators worked to clear the intersection.
Why This Intersection Matters
West 25th is a key piece of the city’s transit planning and has been at the center of debate over proposed bus-rapid-transit upgrades, a discussion that makes any crash at the intersection especially consequential, as reported by Cleveland Scene. Riders and nearby businesses have pressed RTA and city leaders for clearer safety measures along the corridor, and the newly released footage drops a vivid visual example into those longstanding safety concerns.
Investigation Underway
The Cleveland Division of Police Accident Investigation Unit is leading the probe and will review cruiser dash-cam video and RTA bus camera footage as part of determining what happened, per Spectrum News 1. Officials have not released a final cause, and RTA and Cleveland Police did not provide further comment beyond initial reports. Reporters and investigators say they will be watching for any policy or training changes that might be recommended once the review is complete.
For now, the video offers the public a clearer look at the moments leading up to the collision, and investigators say it will be one piece of a larger review. Riders who use West 25th transit service are being urged to watch for updates from RTA and Cleveland police about any service impacts or safety announcements.
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