Woman Flees Police Twice In A Day Before Stolen Hyundai Crashes Into Car And Utility Pole

A 60-year-old woman faces nine charges after police say she led officers on her second chase of the day in a stolen Hyundai before crashing into another vehicle and a utility pole.

Leah Stewart was the only person inside the gray Hyundai. Police said she was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The first chase happened earlier Tuesday morning when North Olmsted police pursued the stolen vehicle.

Around 11:15 a.m., automated license plate reader cameras alerted Strongsville officers that the Hyundai, reported stolen by Cleveland police, had entered the city near Pearl Road and Sprague Road.

Officers found the car at the Kings Inn and tried to stop it. Police said Stewart fled, striking a Strongsville police cruiser before driving north on Pearl Road.

A Strongsville officer and an Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper pursued the Hyundai.

Police said Stewart ran a red light near Whitney Road and struck an uninvolved vehicle turning onto Pearl Road. The impact sent the Hyundai into a utility pole, causing it to roll over and come to rest on its side just off Pearl Road.

The crash left scratch marks across the ground, chipped pieces of curb and torn-up grass. The Hyundai also narrowly missed a sign for a local business.

Video from the scene shows the Hyundai lying on its side with its blinkers flashing and windshield wipers still moving. The other driver was not injured.

Stewart was taken to Southwest General Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and was taken into custody after receiving treatment.

She faces nine charges in Berea Municipal Court, including failure to comply with a police officer’s order or signal, assault, operating a vehicle under the influence, willful or wanton operation, failing to obey traffic control devices, possession of drug paraphernalia and having an open container of liquor.