Stolen car with 3 teens inside crashes, catches fire while fleeing police, killing 1

AKRON, Ohio — An 18-year-old male was killed when the vehicle he was in crashed into another car and burst into flames after trying to elude police, authorities say.

Two other 18-year-old males were in the vehicle, which reportedly was stolen, when it crashed at the intersection of Kelly Avenue and Third Avenue late Tuesday night in the Middlebury neighborhood, according to police. The conditions of the other two males, who were taken to hospitals, were not released, but police say they’re expected to survive.

Meanwhile, police are trying to determine if the three teens are connected to a shooting that occurred moments earlier that wounded a 28-year-old man.

The chase started at about 11:31 p.m. when officers spotted the car, a red Kia Forte, speeding on Kelly Avenue near Tech Way Drive. A patrol car began chasing the vehicle but called it off at the intersection of Kelly and Sixth avenues because the Kia was reaching speeds around 100 mph.

The Kia continued but soon crashed into another vehicle that had stopped for traffic. The Kia then hit a pole and caught fire, police say.

Officers pulled the three teens from the burning vehicle and performed CPR on one of the victims and also used fire extinguishers put out out the fire.

The driver of the vehicle hit by the Kia was not injured. The identity of the teen killed in the crash has not been released.

Police are investigating whether the teens might be connected to a shooting that was reported on the 800 block of Eller Avenue in the Firestone neighborhood at about the same time the pursuit occurred. The 28-year-old victim says he was walking on Eller Avenue when he was confronted by three males before being shot in the face, police say.

The victim was taken to Summa Health Akron City Hospital and his wound is not considered life-threatening.

Anyone with information can call detectives at 330-375-2490 or Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-434-COPS. Individuals also can send tips by texting TIPSCO to 274637. Download the Akron PD app and submit information by texting Tips411 or accessing the link at www.AkronCops.org ^[2].

References

^{^} 2 dead, 2 injured in wrong-way head-on crash on Ohio 176 in Cleveland (www.cleveland.com)
^{^} www.AkronCops.org (www.akroncops.org)