Willoughby police chase ends with cruisers hit, suspect on the run

WILLOUGHBY, Ohio - A traffic stop in Willoughby turned into a police chase and ended with two cruisers hit and the suspect on the run.

It all began around 1:20 a.m. Monday when Willoughby police tried stopping a vehicle on Maplegrove Road. The driver ended up stopping in the parking lot of Motel 6 and when the officer began questioning his identification, the officer said the man continued driving in the parking lot.

The officer followed the vehicle behind the motel and began talking with the man again, trying to get him to get out of the car. That's when the driver drove forward, striking the front end of the officer’s cruiser and took off toward Rt. 91 and I-90 west.

Another officer joined the pursuit, following the driver as he exited I-90 at the U.S. 20 ramp. Police said the suspect’s vehicle went off the road and then attempted to travel eastbound in the westbound lanes.

One officer used his cruiser to block the man's path so he couldn't travel into oncoming traffic. The man hit the cruiser, spun around and continued westbound on I-90, according to police.

After a few more on and off ramp pursuits, the driver got off at East 185th Street, went off the road and hit a utility pole. When officers got to the vehicle, the driver was already gone.

Authorities ask if you have any information about the identity of the suspect involved in the chase to call Willoughby police at 440-953-4212.