CLEVELAND, OH — As reported by Fox 8 News, a police chase that began late Monday night in Bedford Heights ended in a crash and vehicle fire in Cleveland. The pursuit started shortly after 11 p.m. and concluded near East 49th Street and Chard Avenue, where the vehicle being pursued crashed and caught fire.
According to officials, multiple individuals inside the vehicle fled on foot following the crash. Law enforcement from the Cleveland Division of Police and the Cuyahoga Heights Police Department responded to assist in searching the area for those involved. As reported by WKYC Studios, authorities used a drone to help locate the individuals, ultimately finding three people who had been inside the vehicle. However, only the driver was taken into custody.
At this time, authorities have not confirmed whether any additional suspects were taken into custody. Additionally, the circumstances that led to the chase remain unclear. Bedford Heights Police Chief Michael Marotta stated that the pursuit began after an officer observed the vehicle running a red light on Libby Road. When the officer attempted to make a traffic stop, the driver sped off, leading officers onto I-480 westbound at speeds exceeding 100 mph. It is unknown what initially prompted officers to begin the pursuit or if any further charges will be filed as a result of the incident.
The fiery crash added an element of danger to the situation, but no reports have indicated whether anyone was injured. Officials have not provided further details regarding damage caused by the fire or whether emergency crews were required to extinguish it.
According to WKYC Studios, Chief Marotta acknowledged that high-speed chases pose significant risks to public safety. He stated that his department will review the pursuit to ensure that proper protocols were followed and determine whether officers involved require additional training or disciplinary action.
Law enforcement continues to investigate the incident, and additional information may be released as more details become available.
Update (3/13/2025): This article has been updated to include additional details from WKYC Studios, such as Bedford Heights Police Chief Michael Marotta, confirming that the chase began due to a red-light violation. The update also clarifies that three individuals were located after the crash, but only the driver was taken into custody. Additionally, authorities are reviewing the pursuit to ensure proper protocol was followed.
