A Hudson police officer is on paid administrative leave following the fatal shooting of a motorist who fled the scene after causing a car crash on the Ohio Turnpike on Sunday afternoon.
Neither the officer nor the shooting victim have been identified. A Hudson city spokeswoman said their names are being withheld pending identification of the dead man and notification of his family.
The shooting happened after a crash at about 2:40 p.m. Three people called 911 to report the crash.
According to a police report, the man was driving at a high rate of speed when he sideswiped a vehicle and his car flipped over.
“I just saw a horrible accident,” said one caller, describing how one vehicle had flipped onto its roof. Another caller described a similar situation.
The third caller, a truck driver, said one motorist in the crash — the same man who was shot and killed shortly afterward — left his vehicle and was acting erratically.
“The dude is running down the street,” the truck driver said. “There’s something wrong with this guy. He got out of his car, and he’s running wildly.”
According to police reports, the man fled into a wooded area near the 185.7 westbound mile marker, close to the Interstate 480 exit. Police, the Ohio Highway Patrol and an aerial unit began a search.
The officer found the man near an access road off Hudson Aurora Road, under a turnpike bridge. The conflict escalated to a struggle, and the police officer opened fire.
Police performed first aid on the suspect, but he ultimately died. The police officer was transported to Summa Akron City Hospital with minor injuries and later released.
The investigation into the incident is being handled by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Evidence collected will be forwarded to prosecutors, who will decide whether charges are appropriate in the shooting.
Officials declined to say more, citing the ongoing investigation.
Nick Glunt can be reached at 330-996-3565 or nglunt@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickGluntABJ and on Facebook @JournoNickGlunt .