Two drivers in two cars, at least one stolen, lead Brook Park police on chase, then crash cars

BROOK PARK, Ohio – Two unidentified drivers led Brook Park police on a high-speed vehicle chase in two separate cars, then crashed their cars, at about 3 a.m. July 28.

Police saw the first driver, in a Kia, speeding and traveling without headlights on westbound Brookpark Road. They tried to pull the car over, but it didn’t stop, accelerating to 85 mph and swerving around traffic. The car had a California license plate.

The driver turned northbound onto Grayton Road and ran a red light at the Interstate 480 westbound entrance ramp. Police then realized that another vehicle, a Hyundai Sonata, was traveling in front of the Kia and was also fleeing.

The Kia and Sonata both turned eastbound on Puritas Avenue, running a red light in the process. Their speeds reached 90 mph. The drivers blew past several additional red lights before turning northbound onto West 150th Street.

On West 150th, just past the Interstate 71 northbound entrance ramps, the Kia and Sonata both crashed into curbs. Two people jumped out of the Hyundai and into the Kia while two additional people ran eastbound toward Terminal Avenue.

Police learned that the Hyundai, which had a flat front tire, belonged to a Willoughby resident. The steering wheel column had been stripped, the ignition mechanism was hanging down and a metal shim had been shoved inside the column, indicating that the car had been stolen.

Police searched the area for suspects but found no one. The status of the Sonata was unknown.