Columbus Police Cruiser Smashes Into Suspect’s Car During Highway Patrol Pursuit

A Columbus police officer was injured early Wednesday when a police cruiser crashed into a Ford Focus being monitored by the Ohio State Highway Patrol near downtown.

Troopers had attempted to stop the vehicle for a lane violation around 1:20 a.m. on eastbound I-70 near I-71. When the driver refused to stop, the highway patrol used its Aviation Section to monitor the vehicle rather than continue a ground pursuit.

The crash occurred at the intersection of West Broad Street and North Central Avenue. The officer was taken to a local hospital in stable condition, treated and later released.

Two people were taken into custody following the crash. The Ohio State Highway Patrol charged the driver, 19-year-old Ray Crump, with felony failure to comply.