ELYRIA, Ohio -- Lorain police were chasing a stolen van when it went of a cliff and crashed into the Black River in Elyria on Wednesday.

Officers said Blake Cavanaugh was spotted in the stolen van before 8 a.m.

They said he never drove above the speed limit but would not stop for officers. Police said as they were exiting Interstate 90, east of Route 57, Cavanaugh drove around a guardrail and then over a 75-foot cliff.

Van Crashes Into River During Chase

When authorities arrived, Cavanaugh was sitting on top of the van in the water.

He was removed from the van by a rescue boat.

"When we showed up, we thought it was going to be a body recovery with someone in the water in the vehicle. To see this we were shocked," said Elyria Fire Lt. Rick Thrasher.

Cavanaugh has a prosthetic leg, but broke the other one in the crash.

He was transported to a local hospital and then flown by Lifeflight to MetroHealth Medical Center. His condition is unknown but he's expected to be OK.

Lorain police are investigating the stolen car, Elyria is investigating the crash.