NewsCrime

Actions

Video: Teens accused of fleeing police crash stolen car in University Heights

Teens crash University Heights Grayson Sommer
Posted at 6:13 PM, Nov 04, 2021
and last updated 2021-11-04 23:25:36-04

CINCINNATI — Two teenage suspects were taken to the hospital Thursday after Cincinnati Police said they crashed while fleeing officers in a stolen car in University Heights.

Cincinnati Police said officers in the Crime Gun Intelligence Unit tried to pull over a car at around 1:40 p.m. for a drug investigation. The driver of the car drove through the intersection of Clifton Avenue and Martin Luther King Drive, crashing and flipping the car upside down.

"It is scary to think about," said Sam Lemmink, who witnessed the crash. "Wow, two seconds later I might have been in the middle section, could've T-boned me."

The car hit an electric pole in front of Grayson Sommer's home.

"I was not expecting that whole entire thing to happen literally right in front of our house," Sommer said. "I thought it was my roommates upstairs, it apparently was not. A few minutes later, I saw someone sprint past my window, and then I kind of knew that it was more than just something, like full bang outside."

Two suspects, ages 14 and 15, were taken to Cincinnati Children's Hospital with injuries. Both are expected to be OK. A third person, believed to be a teenager, was in the car but was not apprehended — they allegedly crawled out of the car and ran away.

During an investigation into the crash, CPD said officers discovered the car was stolen. In a release, police said officers were not engaged in a pursuit. Video obtained by WCPO 9 shows the car driving through the intersection and flipping over after hitting another car. About 15 seconds later, police cruisers can be seen driving into the intersection.

"It is scary to think about," said Sam Lemmink, who witnessed the crash. "Wow, two seconds later I might have been in the middle section, could've T-boned me."

Utility crews fixed the smashed pole. It is unclear if anyone else was injured in the crash.