A police chase that began on I-471 in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, ended in a crash in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, May 27, according to dispatchers. Video from the scene shows multiple cruisers trailing a vehicle across the Ohio River before the pursuit came to a violent stop in the city’s core.
As reported by FOX5 Vegas, the station aired footage of the pursuit and cited dispatch audio indicating it started on I-471 in Fort Thomas. The short clip stops well before any detailed police briefing, and it does not include confirmed information about injuries, suspects or potential charges.
Gray local affiliates also shared the same video package and dispatch audio. As reported by KOLD, the broadcast did not immediately offer specifics on arrests or serious injuries tied to the crash.
Dangerous history of cross-river pursuits
Pursuits that jump the river, from Cincinnati into Northern Kentucky or back into Ohio, have turned deadly before. In 2020, a chase that ran from Cincinnati into Newport ended when a fleeing vehicle jumped a curb and struck people dining outside Press on Monmouth, killing Raymond and Gayle Laible. That crash led to federal charges and a civil lawsuit against the city and officers, as reported by CityBeat.
What the rules say
Cincinnati’s pursuit procedure, listed as Procedure 12.535, instructs officers to weigh public-safety factors such as traffic, road and weather conditions, time of day and how serious the suspected crime is. It directs officers to end a pursuit when the danger to the public outweighs the value of catching someone immediately. The policy also requires in-car and body cameras to be activated during pursuits and limits chases for traffic-only offenses, according to the City of Cincinnati.
We have requested comment from the Cincinnati Police Department and the Fort Thomas Police Department and will update this story if officials provide more information. If you were near the scene and have video or firsthand details, you can share them with our newsroom for verification and added context.
