Police: Man leads cops on chase from Westlake, crashes car into fence and tree in Bay Village

BAY VILLAGE, Ohio - A police chase that began in Westlake ended in a crash in Bay Village overnight.

Police said they observed a 38-year-old Westlake man driving in and out of parking lots in the Crocker Road area at about 12:07 a.m. Thursday.

Officers signaled him to stop after they said he committed a number of moving violations. The man did not stop and instead led officers on a chase westbound on Clemens Rd. then northbound on Bradley Rd. into Bay Village, becoming airborne when crossing the railroad tracks.

At the intersection with Lake Rd., police said he failed to negotiate a left turn and hit a fence and tree.

The victim was taken to St. John Medical Center by Bay Village FD, where he remains under observation. His injuries are not considered life-threatening. He is not under arrest at this time.

Police did say a temporary license plate stolen Wednesday from an Elyria woman's 1994 Ford SUV was found on the 1994 Ford SUV the man was driving. Items in the SUV have tentatively been linked an auto theft reported at a hotel in the area where the 38-year-old was first seen.

A search warrant is currently being sought to recover more suspected stolen property from the man's car.

Suggested charges that will be considered by the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor for presentation to a grand jury will include traffic violations, RSP, and Felony Fleeing.