As reported by Cleveland 19 News, a man is facing multiple charges following an early-morning police pursuit that began in Bedford and reached speeds of more than 125 mph before ending in Portage County.
According to Bedford police, officers responded to 698 Broadway Avenue at approximately 1:11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, after receiving a report of a man asleep behind the wheel of a vehicle.
Police said officers found a man sleeping in the driver’s seat of a running Audi A7 displaying fictitious license plates. After officers woke the driver, police allege he put the Audi into drive and struck a marked police cruiser before reversing and striking a second cruiser.
The driver then fled, leading officers on a pursuit through multiple jurisdictions. Police reported that speeds exceeded 125 mph as the pursuit continued into Portage County.
Ravenna police deployed stop sticks in an effort to stop the Audi. Bedford officers subsequently used a PIT maneuver to bring the vehicle pursuit to an end.
Police identified the driver as Valeriy Frunza. Following the vehicle pursuit, police said Frunza fled on foot, jumped a guardrail and went into a heavily wooded ravine.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol Aviation Unit and officers from multiple law enforcement agencies assisted with the search. Frunza was eventually located and taken into custody.
Police said Frunza was treated for injuries sustained in the ravine and transported to Cleveland Clinic Marymount Hospital.
According to police, Frunza faces charges of failure to comply, criminal damaging, possession of drug paraphernalia and numerous traffic offenses.
Police reported that Frunza was given a $50,000 bond and was being held at the Cuyahoga County Jail.
The case is scheduled to be presented to a Cuyahoga County grand jury today, Aug. 31.
