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Accident – Death – Obituary News : Jalen Jackson, a 23-year-old man, is facing multiple charges, including aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, tampering with evidence, discharging a firearm, weapons under disability, and a drug charge, after allegedly robbing an Amazon driver at gunpoint and leading officers on a high-speed chase that resulted in the death of a 70-year-old motorist on I-90.
The incident unfolded on Wednesday night when Jackson allegedly approached an Amazon driver and stole the van at gunpoint. The driver immediately called the police, initiating a pursuit. Cleveland Heights Police Chief Chris Britton stated that one of his officers reported hearing two gunshots during the pursuit.
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As the chase escalated, a helicopter from the Cleveland Division of Police joined in the efforts to apprehend Jackson. The pursuit continued onto I-90, where the stolen van entered the eastbound lanes in the wrong direction, putting other motorists at risk.
Newly-released body camera footage reveals that the pursuit lasted for at least 20 minutes, with officers reaching speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. After 18 minutes of pursuit, the van veered into oncoming traffic on I-90. At 7:54 p.m., a Cleveland Heights police officer can be heard shouting “crash, crash, crash” as the stolen van collided head-on with another vehicle.
Tragically, the driver of the other vehicle, identified as 70-year-old Dr. Curtis Birchall from Akron, was killed in the crash. Dr. Birchall, who ran an anti-aging clinic in Rocky River, was pronounced dead at the scene.
After the collision, officers immediately apprehended Jackson, who was found lying beyond the guard rail in a grassy area. While being handcuffed, one of the officers can be heard shouting, “You can’t get away from Cleveland Heights, motherf—er.”
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As officers attempted to move Jackson, he complained of a broken leg and struggled to walk. Additional officers arrived to assist, and Jackson was eventually placed in custody.
The release of the body camera footage has sparked questions regarding the pursuit policy followed by the Cleveland Heights Police Department. The department’s 13-page vehicle pursuit policy states that pursuits expose innocent citizens, law enforcement officers, and fleeing violators to the risk of serious injury or death. It also advises against pursuing a vehicle driving the wrong way on a roadway, highway, or freeway.
When questioned about whether the pursuit followed department policy, Cleveland Heights Mayor Kahlil Seren and Chief Britton declined to comment, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation to determine if the officers acted appropriately.
The city has announced that it will conduct a thorough review of its police department and investigate whether the pursuit adhered to the established policy. The findings of the review will be made public, ensuring transparency and accountability.
The tragic incident has raised concerns about the safety of high-speed pursuits and the need for strict adherence to pursuit policies to prevent further loss of life. The investigation will shed light on the events leading up to the fatal crash and determine if any changes need to be made to the pursuit policy to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
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