Cleveland police are turning to the public after a hit-and-run in Glenville left a motorcyclist dead and a driver on the run. The rider was rushed to a local hospital after the crash and later died, while the car involved was caught on camera leaving the scene, according to investigators.
According to Cleveland 19, the collision happened around 7:17 p.m. near St. Clair Avenue and East 118th Street. Police say the suspected vehicle is a gray Hyundai Elantra with Wisconsin license plate 3817AFT. Detectives reported that the driver tried to make a left turn and struck the motorcyclist, who then attempted to lay the bike down and was hit a second time. The driver did not stop and was last seen heading eastbound on East 118th.
Motorcycle safety in Ohio
Motorcyclists continue to be overrepresented in fatal crashes across Ohio, and state officials have long warned that warmer weather brings increased risk for riders. The Ohio Traffic Safety Office details motorcycle-safety programs and outreach in its 2024 annual report, with an eye toward cutting rider deaths and boosting training. National data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show motorcyclist fatalities remain a significant share of traffic deaths, underscoring the danger riders face on city streets.
Possible criminal exposure
Under Ohio law, leaving the scene of a crash is not just bad form, it can be a felony. Drivers who fail to stop after an accident that results in death face a third-degree felony under the Ohio Revised Code §4549.02. The offense can be elevated if prosecutors can show the driver knew a death had occurred. Any eventual charges will depend on what investigators uncover and how prosecutors decide to proceed.
How to help
Cleveland police are asking anyone who recognizes the gray Hyundai Elantra or Wisconsin plate 3817AFT to contact the Cleveland Police Investigation Unit at 216-623-5295, according to Cleveland 19. Tipsters may be asked to share any video or photos, and investigators say the suspect vehicle was captured on camera leaving the scene. Authorities said the victim's name has not yet been released as the investigation continues.
