Brook Park police are still hunting for a driver who they say tore through city streets at roughly 110 mph before smashing into the side of a Cleveland shopping plaza, then bolting on foot. Officers report the runaway driver left a phone and paperwork inside the mangled car, and while investigators say they have a person of interest, no arrests have been made, and the search is ongoing.
How the Stop Turned Into A Chase
According to Brook Park officers, the whole thing started as a straightforward traffic stop on Smith Road. An officer spotted a black Infiniti with expired registration and flipped on the emergency lights. Instead of pulling over, the driver hit the gas and, police say, pushed speeds close to 110 mph while blowing through red lights and cutting across multiple streets before losing control, as reported by WKYC.
Crash At Cleveland Shopping Plaza
Dash-camera and body-camera video reviewed by local outlets shows the Infiniti careening into the side of a shopping plaza near Puritas Avenue and W. 150th Street in Cleveland. Officers rushed to the wreck, but they say they briefly held back to avoid pedestrians at the scene, which gave the driver just enough time to disappear on foot. Evidence inside the vehicle, along with surveillance footage in the area, has helped investigators map out at least part of the suspect's path after the crash, as reported by WOIO/Cleveland 19.
What Investigators Recovered
At the crash site, officers say they found a phone that showed the driver was working a DoorDash delivery around the time of the pursuit. Detectives used that device, along with security video from the food pickup location, to narrow in on a person of interest. Police also recovered a Lorain County court summons from inside the Infiniti that lists prior charges that include failure to comply, driving under suspension, and having an invalid plate. The department says it has identified a person of interest but is not releasing a name, and no charges have been filed, as reported by WKYC.
Police Ask For Tips
Brook Park police are asking anyone with video or information about the chase or the crash to call the department's non-emergency line at 216-433-1239 or use the contact tools listed on the city's police page. Investigators say community tips and surveillance footage are helping them piece together the suspect's exact route and movements after the collision. For reporting options and contact details, see the Brook Park Police Department.
This is one of several white-knuckle high-speed pursuits that have played out across the Cleveland area this spring, as local departments continue to weigh the public-safety risks of chasing drivers who refuse to stop. The Brook Park case remains active, and authorities say they plan to release more details as the investigation develops, per local coverage. As reported by WOIO/Cleveland 19.
