Several people injured in multi-vehicle crash on Cleveland’s West Side

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A multiple-vehicle crash closed the intersection of West 150th and Lorain Avenue in Cleveland for hours Friday.

Cleveland police reported Saturday the cause of the crash was the driver of a stolen 2017 GMC Acadia speeding westbound on Lorain Avenue.

When 22-year-old driver of the stolen car approached Warren Road and West 150 intersection it changed lines and stroked two vehicles.

One of the two vehicles pushed into a fourth vehicle and the fourth vehicle traveled into the eastbound lane striking the fifth vehicle.

Witness Joe Barto, whose car was involved said he heard the impact and then watched vehicles lose control. “We heard car squealing, we heard sheet metal, cars banging off each other,” Barto said. “The next thing you know, cars are just spinning.”

The crash happened about 5:20 p.m., during the evening commute, leaving several people trying to understand what led up to it. Barto said he immediately ran to help. “I just got out of the car and started running over to the cars that were trying to get people out of cars,” Barto said. “I think I was just in shock.”

One person was reported trapped in a vehicle, but that patient had been removed before firefighters arrived, according to the Cleveland Fire Department.

As debris remained scattered across the roadway, another witness, Abdul Binsunni said he claimed to pull that person trapped from a vehicle before firefighters arrived. “I made sure to proceed to pull out the lady outside of this car right here.”

One man who asked not to be identified told 19 News he believes his car was stolen and ended up involved in the crash. Another bystander said her car was hit by what she believes was that stolen vehicle near West 131st Street. Those claims have not been confirmed by police.

Jim Missirlis said the aftermath was hard to take in. “Looking at the aftermath, looking at all the debris over here, it’s pretty sad,” Missirlis said.

Cleveland Fire and EMS officials say additional resources were requested to the scene. EMS has transported up to five patients to the Fairview Emergency Department, according to Cleveland Fire.

Officials say that the intersection reopened around 9:30 p.m.

As of Saturday, the suspect remains at the hospital but has been placed under arrest for aggravated vehicular homicide, aggravated vehicular assault and grand theft of motor vehicle.

One of the drivers in the crash was a 54-year-old man and he transported to the hospital before being pronounced dead.

Once the suspect is medically cleared, he will be transported to the Cuyahoga County jail.

An investigation is being conducted by the Accident Investigative Unit.